Crank Arm Nightmare!

[Chemics&Physistry]

I am a very new face to this forum, I joined because i was researching for the project i was on, and now i'm hooked on the idea of making my own rat. Prbolem is, i first need to sort this bike so i don't have two projects going at once.

The problem: My 1980s Raleigh Caprice Ladies' Town bike is in need of a respray in red, and to do that i need to get the sprocket off. Unfortunately to do that i need to remove the crank arms (which also need to come off for painting obviously) I've undone the nuts on the bolts at the bottom of each arm, but it's done nothing towards loosening the arm itself, i've prepared handy photos because i don't know what all the bits are called.

Okay, so they're annotated to show what you're looking at, although i'm sure someoen will recognise this. As I said i'm new to the whole bike modding scene, this might be something really simple, but I'd REALLY appreciate any help.
I've tried gripping the round bit with pliers to unscrew it, but they can't purchase on the small amount of it that's present.

Someone please help me! HOW DO I GET THESE ARMS OFF WITHOUT A SLEDGEHAMMER?!

Yours desperately,
Eddie.

 

[Chemics&Physistry]

Okay! Sorry to waste everyone's time but in desperation i threw the frame over my shoulder and walked a quartermile to the automechanic's in my village. He proceeded to take a larger hammer than mine and give them a good whack. Result? Two pins and crank arms removed and bike now ready to be washed before sanding Hooray!

yours happily
Eddie.

 

[kingsting]

Those usually require a special press (or a big C clamp and a socket) to remove.
If you plan on reusing that crank, you'll have to purchase new cotter pins.

 

[Chemics&Physistry]

Have taken a look at the pins and they seem undamaged, there's no fresh metal shown where it's worn, the threads are intact and they fit back into the holes in the cranks without any apparent warping, he used a copper mallet, apparently that reduces chances of damaging the pins. I'll let you know when they go back on

 

[Korporal]

If you are keeping this crank, you will run into this problem again. Therefore, I present to you the late Sheldon Brown

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cotters.html

 

[Chemics&Physistry]

Thank you, although I don't plan to be removing them again. It was merely a one off so i could spray the frame. And they came out relatively easy once I knew how, I just didn't know that they were pins and therefore didn't want to give them a good whack in case they were threaded all the way along. Local Mechanic knew better and game them a thunk, came ut with two taps each.

 

[deorman]

If this bike sees regular use, the crank bearings will eventually need cleaning and fresh grease. Cotter keys are cheap, it doesn't hurt to have spares. :wink:

 

[Chemics&Physistry]

Hehe okay then ^^ I'll see what I can find, can't hurt to have some spare parts.