Options for spindle removal

[Indy1204]

Hello. I've got a frame I'm trying to use for an ebike that has a broken/stuck spindle in the bottom bracket I cannot get out. THIS is a similar looking spindle. Where the red arrow is pointing is completely gone. All of it, 360 degrees. There is no where for me to get a grip on it at all. I was able to get the spindle itself out leaving it hollow, so I took a Sawzall through the hole to it to try and split the collar in half so I could eventually pry it out. I was hardly putting a dent in it. Would a carbon tipped blade work? I also tried using a bi-metal hole saw which worked a bit, but again the blade wore very quickly.

Am I tackling this the right way? Seeing as its threaded inside I don't know how else to get it out. I'm not worried about shredding the collar as I need it completely out anyway.

Thanks

 

[scianiac]

Can you take some pictures of what you're working with here? The easy way to remove it would be to just weld an old socket or something to it but that of course requires access to a welder. Another strategy would be to cut a notch into the outside boss and place a chisel or similar into it tangentially to the ring and tap that with a hammer to spin it free.

 

[Indy1204]

Can you take some pictures of what you're working with here? The easy way to remove it would be to just weld an old socket or something to it but that of course requires access to a welder. Another strategy would be to cut a notch into the outside boss and place a chisel or similar into it tangentially to the ring and tap that with a hammer to spin it free.

Thanks for replying. I'm not able to get a picture at the moment but I'll get one and post it here. Appreciate it.

 

[Indy1204]

Can you take some pictures of what you're working with here? The easy way to remove it would be to just weld an old socket or something to it but that of course requires access to a welder. Another strategy would be to cut a notch into the outside boss and place a chisel or similar into it tangentially to the ring and tap that with a hammer to spin it free.

Looks like I won't be able to get out to the bike for a couple days. THIS is the piece I need to remove. That slotted section where the special tool goes is completely gone so there is nothing to grip on to. I had a sawzall blade through there trying to cut it in half and work it out from there, but after two bi-metal blades it only made it about 1mm through.

Thanks

P.S. If I'm sitting on the bike and am trying to unscrew that spindle; would I spin it clockwise or anti-clockwise?

 

[BicycleJoe]

Hello original poster Indy1204. Your frustration with a stuck bottom bracket reminds me of my own BB struggles, early on.

Your thin red arrow in your stock-photo of a BB indicates that the stripped out tool-splines are on the right side of the bike. Wether or not this is true, I will give you my short course on bottom bracket removal.

These cartridge-style BBs are removed by first unscrewing the left side locking-insert.

 

[BicycleJoe]

Once the left-side locker is loosened, the body of the cartridge BB is free to attempt removal. Never try to unscrew the right side until the left side is removed.

The left side locking unit is a right-hand thread. It unscrews by turning anti-clockwise. Assuming that you have removed the left-side locker piece, you need to unscrew the BB body out of the right side. The right side is a left-hand thread. It unscrews by turning in the clockwise direction. You've described the tool splines as gone so you will have to get crafty.

Two things that sometimes help are penetrating lube and heat. You already have the left side out so you can flood the stuck right side of the BB from both sides with WD40/ PB-Blaster/ kerosine. Heat can be applied too. Butane torch is better than a plug-in hair drier gun. Heat the BB shell (bicycle frame), not the bottom bracket itself.

The unscrewing: since the tool splines are gone, all efforts will be applied to the outer part of the BB. I've had good results freeing stuck BBs with long (18 inch) channel-lock plyers. A medium size pipe wrench can also get a grip on that bit of the right side. To remove it, turn the right side of the BB in the clock-wise direction. It's counterintuitive but you must turn it like most things tighten, to loosen.

If you try all my ideas and it's still stuck, then it's time to unscrew it by beating a chisel point into the outer face, in the direction it needs to unscrew: clockwise.

Not all BB will come out for mere mortals. Your local bike shop might have some experience. That's where I learned.

Do try to get that thing out, but unless this bike frame of your's has some sentimental value, you can find another with a looser bottom bracket. Looking forward to hearing out it all worked out.

 

[richj8990]

Hello. I've got a frame I'm trying to use for an ebike that has a broken/stuck spindle in the bottom bracket I cannot get out. THIS is a similar looking spindle. Where the red arrow is pointing is completely gone. All of it, 360 degrees. There is no where for me to get a grip on it at all. I was able to get the spindle itself out leaving it hollow, so I took a Sawzall through the hole to it to try and split the collar in half so I could eventually pry it out. I was hardly putting a dent in it. Would a carbon tipped blade work? I also tried using a bi-metal hole saw which worked a bit, but again the blade wore very quickly.

Am I tackling this the right way? Seeing as its threaded inside I don't know how else to get it out. I'm not worried about shredding the collar as I need it completely out anyway.

Thanks

This is exactly why I'm ranting to get rid of square-tapered bottom brackets. Once they get stuck, even a seasoned mechanic could have problems getting it out. Maybe some bike shop in your area will take mercy on you and the bike and volunteer to take it out for $50. Or more, depending on the number of labor hours. Do yourself a huge favor and spend 30 minutes calling around your entire county for an expert to remove it. That will save you a lot of struggle.

 

[E-HP]

Heat and cold work well on stuck metal parts. A heat gun or torch might help.