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Old 02-14-24, 08:01 AM
  #10  
andrewclaus
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,856

Bikes: 2012 Specialized Elite Disc, 1983 Trek 520

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I can often clean lightly gunked threads with a sharp utility knife. Start at the second full revolution in and run the blade counterclockwise out of the hole, lightly at first. The steel blade will cut a good enough thread in the aluminum.

Another option is to make a thread chaser with the body of a broken crank puller--cut two notches into the threads 90 degrees apart. It's a crappy die, but it often works.

If all else fails, use an automotive ball joint separator, a "pickle fork." It might run the crank or dent the BB shell, so it's a last resort. There are also machined wedge sets that have been shown in other threads on the subject.

Good luck with it. I rebuilt an '83 520 a couple years ago and I love it.
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