Removing cranks without a crank puller?

unisteez · 2006-05-05, 02:28 AM

I searched the forums but was unable to find anything..

I got my new cranks today and i would really like to put them on right now, but seeing as i don't own a crank puller and the bike shop is closed by now. What exactly can i do to get the old cranks off?

Thanks.

Unitik908 · 2006-05-05, 02:33 AM

well do as i do, gently beat it with a hammer..

Chase

unisteez · 2006-05-05, 02:35 AM

how can i get to the crank with a hammer? do you do it through the spokes somehow?
i would have experimented with it, but i dont want to mess anything up.

Unitik908 · 2006-05-05, 02:37 AM

well i just gently tap the sides of the crank and that will loosen them up a little, and if that doesnt work, i just pull and yank and twist till im really frustrated and they eventually come off.. so yeah its not a very good system, i recomend buying a crank puller..

Chase

skroboskim · 2006-05-05, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unitik908

well do as i do, gently beat it with a hammer..

Chase

... good luck hitting the crank w/ only a hammer... you need some kind of punch to go through the spokes and if you don't want to scratch the cranks put a small board between the "punch" and the crank ... and hit as close as you can to where the crank meets the axle ... i have posted about this before... and it may help to hold the crank/pedal off the ground by putting the wheel on your legs

skroboskim · 2006-05-05, 02:38 AM

a big bolt usually works as a "punch"

Daytripper63 · 2006-05-05, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unisteez

I searched the forums but was unable to find anything..

I got my new cranks today and i would really like to put them on right now, but seeing as i don't own a crank puller and the bike shop is closed by now. What exactly can i do to get the old cranks off?

Thanks.

The safest way to do it is: DONT do it! no matter how bad you want the new cranks on , are you willing to risk damaging your uni and still not getting the cranks off and still have to go to the local bike shop...

unisteez · 2006-05-05, 02:42 AM

haha..man this is a tough choice.
i will go take a look at it. see if i think i can do it. if not..then the guys at the shop will be seeing me bright and early tomorrow.

skroboskim · 2006-05-05, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daytripper63

The safest way to do it is: DONT do it! no matter how bad you want the new cranks on , are you willing to risk damaging your uni and still not getting the cranks off and still have to go to the local bike shop...

I have never had a problem w/ the way i do it

madmattunipro · 2006-05-05, 04:05 AM

Use a crank puller. The less extra impact and wear you put on your hub, the better. Plus it's so much easier. Be patient, wait till your shop opens, then go buy a puller, and you never have to wait again.

maestro8 · 2006-05-05, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skroboskim

I have never had a problem w/ the way i do it

I'm going to echo what madmatt said. You might not have a problem the first time you use a hammer, or the 2nd, but the process of using a hammer applies forces to the hub and cranks at angles that could cause the metal to deform, weaken, or even crack (microscopically).

Generally the hub is made of a metal that is harder than the cranks, and the cranks are the first to deform... so you probably won't be able to get a good fit from hammer-removed cranks after the first or 2nd removal. Weakening your hub is never a good thing... especially a square-taper hub. It's like playing russian roulette... you'll never know which big drop will lead to a disasterous hub failure. Do you really want to risk a bruised pair of 'nads?

2006-05-05, 02:28 AM	#1
unisteez gnar shredder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arvada, Colorado Age: 20 Posts: 606	Removing cranks without a crank puller? I searched the forums but was unable to find anything.. I got my new cranks today and i would really like to put them on right now, but seeing as i don't own a crank puller and the bike shop is closed by now. What exactly can i do to get the old cranks off? Thanks.

2006-05-05, 02:33 AM	#2
Unitik908 The Lone Clothespin.... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Evansville, Indiana Age: 19 Posts: 2,603	well do as i do, gently beat it with a hammer.. Chase __________________ All hail the exhaulted Sigpoose, for he is forever king... R.I.P Unibiker R.I.P Gazzaloddi R.I.P Paul Hester R.I.P James Doohan R.I.P Mitch Hedberg R.I.P Peter Jennings R.I.P Pope John Paul II R.I.P James_Potters_Cat YAMS Last edited by THE dave and Sigpoose on 2005-09-05 at 08:56 PM

2006-05-05, 02:37 AM	#4
Unitik908 The Lone Clothespin.... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Evansville, Indiana Age: 19 Posts: 2,603	well i just gently tap the sides of the crank and that will loosen them up a little, and if that doesnt work, i just pull and yank and twist till im really frustrated and they eventually come off.. so yeah its not a very good system, i recomend buying a crank puller.. Chase __________________ All hail the exhaulted Sigpoose, for he is forever king... R.I.P Unibiker R.I.P Gazzaloddi R.I.P Paul Hester R.I.P James Doohan R.I.P Mitch Hedberg R.I.P Peter Jennings R.I.P Pope John Paul II R.I.P James_Potters_Cat YAMS Last edited by THE dave and Sigpoose on 2005-09-05 at 08:56 PM

2006-05-05, 02:38 AM	#6
skroboskim trying to go vert Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: corpus christi TX Age: 20 Posts: 177	a big bolt usually works as a "punch" __________________ -stephen- CCTX ><> Unicycle for Christ <>< biggest gap - over 10 feet flat ground

2006-05-05, 04:05 AM	#10
madmattunipro Off Balance Unicyclist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Age: 21 Posts: 478	Use a crank puller. The less extra impact and wear you put on your hub, the better. Plus it's so much easier. Be patient, wait till your shop opens, then go buy a puller, and you never have to wait again. __________________ ><>Unicycle For Christ<>< www.bedfordunicycles.ca http://www.norco.com

2006-05-05, 02:35 AM	#3
unisteez gnar shredder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arvada, Colorado Age: 20 Posts: 606	how can i get to the crank with a hammer? do you do it through the spokes somehow? i would have experimented with it, but i dont want to mess anything up.

2006-05-05, 02:42 AM	#8
unisteez gnar shredder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arvada, Colorado Age: 20 Posts: 606	haha..man this is a tough choice. i will go take a look at it. see if i think i can do it. if not..then the guys at the shop will be seeing me bright and early tomorrow.

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