3 piece crank disassembly

[wbtattoos79]

Can someone explain how to disassemble a 3 piece crank with basic hand tools?

 

[Captain Awesome]

What kind of 3 PC cranks? BMX, road, mtb? Square taper, spline drive?

 

[Wildcat]

I did that once using regular tools and a wedge of wood to break the crank arms free, but it was a hassle and could have wrecked the parts. I have the crank puller tool now, it's a must have.

 

[Captain Awesome]

I did that once using regular tools and a wedge of wood to break the crank arms free, but it was a hassle and could have wrecked the parts. I have the crank puller tool now, it's a must have.

100% agreed

 

[wbtattoos79]

What kind of 3 PC cranks? BMX, road, mtb? Square taper, spline drive?

Well, it's on a 20" mongoose massiff

 

[Captain Awesome]

Ahh, 20" fat bike. First guess using Google is it's going to be a square taper setup needing a puller

 

[Walter Zoomie]

The correct bike tools are a must, IMHO. Otherwise, you risk mangling parts...and knuckles!
These are what I use and have found to be especially serviceable:

Park Tool HCW-11 Slotted Bottom Bracket Adjusting Cup Wrench Tool 16 mm

Park Tool (109917) HCW-5 Lock Spanner

PARK TOOL (109916) HCW-4 Box End and Pin Spanner Crank Wrench (36mm)

Oumers Bike Crank Extractor/Arm Remover and Bottom Bracket Remover with 16mm Spanner/Wrench. Professional Bicycle Repair Tool Kit

Your local bike shop may have some of these in-stock for purchase, and there are other tool brands available, such as Pedros that I have found to be of good quality.

Also, a nice 2 foot long (or longer) section of sturdy pipe comes in handy to slip over wrench handles to gain extra leverage for those especially stubborn bits requiring more persuasion!

Penetrating oil/solvent and heat (like a propane torch plumbers use to sweat copper) come in handy as well.

 

[Swampthing]

Lots can be done with normal tools.
the crank puller is an absolute necessity though and they are inexpensive.
the pipe and and penetrating lubricants are also required equipment unless you are The Hulk.

 

[Wildcat]

That's the only park tool I have. I've used it many times so it's worth the extra dough. I remember when I pulled a 3 piece crankset without it. I bought a Mongoose Beast that had no lubrication and everything was out of adjustment, and it was the best one they had. I loosened the crank bearings and used a hammer to knock the spindle loose from the crank arm like a cotter pin. The other side I left together as I pulled it out. A lot of work.

 

[Gimp]

Crank puller works like a dream. Any tricks to getting a freewheel off a rear tire, I have the tool

 

[RustySprockets]

Crank puller works like a dream. Any tricks to getting a freewheel off a rear tire, I have the tool

The best way to loosen a freewheel is to clamp the remover tool in a sturdy vise, then use the wheel itself to wrest the the cluster from its death grip. (see video @ 1:40)

 

[Gimp]

Right on. Thank you

 

[Karate Chicken Industries]

The best way to loosen a freewheel is to clamp the remover tool in a sturdy vise, then use the wheel itself to wrest the the cluster from its death grip.

I do not agree with that, especially after seeing a vise fail when someone at a bike shop would not listen to me. I pin the tool in place with a nut on the axle or with a QR, hold the wheel upright, (with the tire still on and inflated to max pressure) and smack the small breaker bar I use for this with a big rubber mallet until it breaks free. Never Fails

 

[Indyjps]

I have an axle nut ground down to fit inside freewheel tools. Thread it on to retain the freewheel tool but leave enough gap that the freewheel can back off.

I normally use a vice, but have had to resort to freewheel tool bolted on and a breaker bar.

Also cut thru freewheels with a 4" grinder on the gear so I could clamp the rest in a vice - pain in the butt.

 

[Pops68]

Park Tool has a recall on 3 crank pullers, I seen it last week when I was ordering some parts, don’t remember which ones, but go to website, I think it was listed under the documentation. But they replacing some models.

 

[Pops68]

 

[RustySprockets]

Thanks for the heads-up! The problem only affects tools produced in the last 9 months of so--the older ones are A-OK to use. There is more detailed information on what to look for at the link below.

https://www.parktool.com/en-us/blog...nd-inspect-notice-for-park-tool-crank-pullers