Can I replace BSA bottom bracket bearings?
09-29-23, 10:14 AM
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Can I replace BSA bottom bracket bearings?
Hey everyone -
So I have a Rotor Kapic Carbon crankset on my hardtail and I started hearing some pretty bad crunching sound yesterday while riding. I hadn't cleaned and lubed the chain in a few rides, and I ride in a pretty dusty trail system most days, so I figured I just needed to clean and lube and I'd be all good to go.
I take the bike home and decide to just go ultrasonic cleaner for the chain since I hadn't done it in a while, but when I took the chain off and gave the cranks a spin, I could still hear a lack of smoothness.
I pull off the cranks and the bearing on the non-drive side crank just feels really notchy. So I pull the cup out, gently pry off the dust seal, blast out the bearing with some degreaser, dry with my air gun, and then repack with grease. It feels better now for sure, but still not buttery smooth.
I could just buy a new BB from Rotor for $70, but if these bearings are going to need servicing every 18 months, I might as well invest in the tools and knowledge to do it myself.
Is this feasible? I imagine the bearings are a standardized size - they are Enduro bearings from what I read on the dust seal.
What tools would I need? Would I just follow a procedure like the one in this video -
?
For tools, could I just go with a Wheels MFG or similar rod + handles and then get the correct extractor and drift?
So I have a Rotor Kapic Carbon crankset on my hardtail and I started hearing some pretty bad crunching sound yesterday while riding. I hadn't cleaned and lubed the chain in a few rides, and I ride in a pretty dusty trail system most days, so I figured I just needed to clean and lube and I'd be all good to go.
I take the bike home and decide to just go ultrasonic cleaner for the chain since I hadn't done it in a while, but when I took the chain off and gave the cranks a spin, I could still hear a lack of smoothness.
I pull off the cranks and the bearing on the non-drive side crank just feels really notchy. So I pull the cup out, gently pry off the dust seal, blast out the bearing with some degreaser, dry with my air gun, and then repack with grease. It feels better now for sure, but still not buttery smooth.
I could just buy a new BB from Rotor for $70, but if these bearings are going to need servicing every 18 months, I might as well invest in the tools and knowledge to do it myself.
Is this feasible? I imagine the bearings are a standardized size - they are Enduro bearings from what I read on the dust seal.
What tools would I need? Would I just follow a procedure like the one in this video -
For tools, could I just go with a Wheels MFG or similar rod + handles and then get the correct extractor and drift?
09-30-23, 12:56 AM
#2
Senior Member
The most difficult part would be getting the bearing out, since there's probably very little access to the back of the bearing. I would use a blind bearing extractor. https://wheelsmfg.com/30mm-bearing-extractor-set.html details one set of tooling for the job. I use an Enduro slide hammer blind bearing puller at work mostly for this kind of thing: https://cycling.endurobearings.com/p...et-black-oxide . https://wheelsmfg.com/6806-30mm-seal...extractor.html would work as well. Installation is easy--just need the right sized drift and some threaded rod.
Your plan makes sense to me. Though depending on exactly what bearings are originally used it's not an incredible savings. Basic angular contact 6806 Enduro bearings are $20 a pop, though you could find decent bearings for less.
Your plan makes sense to me. Though depending on exactly what bearings are originally used it's not an incredible savings. Basic angular contact 6806 Enduro bearings are $20 a pop, though you could find decent bearings for less.
09-30-23, 12:50 PM
#3
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You might find a local bike shop will replace it with new for less than all the stuff you might have to buy to deal with it yourself. Your next bike might have a different BB and need different tools.
09-30-23, 01:50 PM
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A ten dollar tool and a rubber mallet will get the bearings out and a piece of all thread with the right sized washers will pull (not push) them back in. After you've done one it seems very simple. I did leave out all the cleaning and prepping with grease you'll want to do to the bottom bracket housing once the bearings are out and before you pull in the new ones. Note also if there are any spacers inside or out during disassembly so you get them back in the right order. Good luck and enjoy. I pull my cranks off annually and pop off the dust seals of the bearings and do exactly like you, clean them, dry them, repack them, and push the seals back on. Smokey
