Square Taper Bottom Bracket Service - How To Overhaul/Remove/Clean/Install

I show how to overhaul a vintage cup/cone square taper bottom bracket. This includes removing the cranks, disassembly, cleaning, replacing the bearings, lubrication, and re-assembly. This is a maintenance that should be done if the bottom bracket feels rough, or if there is play, or if the bottom bracket hasn't been serviced in a long time.
The wrench at 5:20 is this:
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
The wrench at 6:45 is this:
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
How to remove stuck fixed cup:
• How To Remove Stuck/Se...
How to convert to sealed cartridge bottom bracket:
• How To Upgrade Vintage...
Replace caged bearings with loose bearings in BB:
• Replace Caged Bearings...
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy

[@paulnaude4203]

A great video and very helpful in helping me to plan and do my old bikes bearings. Cheers .

[@RickDelmonico]

1987 Schwinn Tempo 21".

[@nobbyclark1346]

This is going to be a great help for me. The Park Tools Videos are all on expensive new bikes, but looks like this is more like my bike ! Thanks !

[@tomcatt998]

RJs videos R better than park tool one's

[@dugldoo]

Hey, Park Tools has lots of videos for older bikes. That's how I learned to maintain my fine 45 yo racing bike. But RJ does indeed have great detailed how-to videos for so many different situations. A great resource.

[@K.V.P14]

Park tools videos are the best on KZbin, they go through each possible scenario, Calvin is the best instructor you can get ! ( no dig at this video it is also very good)

[@B_COOPER]

Park tool is _mostly_ for the bike shop owner mechanic. But they know that Tim the Tinkerer is half of their audience as well. Park Tool is very good at recommending, let’s say a truing stand, but will also show alternatives like zip ties on the seat stays.

[@immanueldelcastillo6041]

I see we both came from the same place

[@kevinhill4328]

I have watched this video so many times - incredibly clear and informative. Came back to it after replacing a shattered bearing cage on a Raleigh nitro - put the replacement cages on the wrong way round but RJ covered that and now all sorted.

[@walterdalpiaz4349]

RJ, i've been watching your bike repair videos for a while now ( since my retirement couple yrs ago) and i have to thank you for such informative videos. I like that you cover topics over again, like this bottom bracket service. It helps the learning process (repitition), thank you and keep up the good work

[@anthonyorosco4262]

I liked your video! I’m overhauling an old cruiser bike given to me by my father in law. I’ve never worked on bikes before, so your information really helped. I also like fact that you’re straightforward and just instruct. Lots of KZbin hosts ramble on about their own personal stuff, or subject matter that isn’t related to the topic. A video that should take around 5 minutes takes 10 or 15 minutes because they like to hear themselves talk.

[@michaelkirwan177]

Concise and enjoyable. Perfect narrative in that the procedure is always timed to fit the visual presentation provided by the camera-work. Confidence instilling to such a degree that even a novice can achieve a satisfactory result the first time out. The inclusion of variable possibilities is always covered and this is what makes RJ the "premiere" go-to guy for essential skills bicycle mechanic's videos. Always enjoyable.

[@robbiestevens3162]

Thanks so much for this! All your videos are so informative and fun to watch and CLEARLY shot! You give me the confidence to go in and tackle all these jobs on the old frame I picked up for not much £p a few years ago! Thank you!

[@andrewbarrett7207]

Very useful indeed, as was your previous video on TA/Stronglight cranks. I have made use of your tips to remove the bottom bracket on my vintage bike, and thanks to your videos I think I am now reasonably confident I'll get it back on the road, and do the job properly.

[@zr2982]

Excellent video, good camera work and very clear explanations. Great to see that people still take care of their old bicycles.

[@BikeItUK]

Great tip about the writing on the spindle being right side up. You learn something new every day thank you! All the best Andy

[@rickearnest6431]

Great job, you do such a great job explaining...even the little things like proper placement of the bearings. Thank you!

[@Coaljet]

RJ, you are really talented at what you do. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@mikeleiby6737]

Your videos I always come back to many times, clear, informative and good camera angle. Thanks !

[@majorpain1251]

Thanks RJ, saved me from searching for this episode. I have an old Specialized Sequoia that need the bottom bracket serviced. Not afraid to tackle it now.

[@kervilou5905]

very good job, RJ !!! light, sound, pictures, pedagogy ! very clear and interesting ! we save a lot of money with your vids ! thanks a lot ! mich from France

[@hansdybka1331]

as usual i enjoy your thoroughness, clarity and clear depiction of the job at hand....cool and tks!

[@versatileduplicity9313]

Who else watches like 10 of these types of videos ro feel more confident in taking off your crank ?

[@jakovasaur]

I usually go to sites other than KZbin when pulling my crank.

[@johnpontaoe3637]

My bike in the shop to replace bottom bracket. This video helps me understand the details and appreciate the labor and special tools involved. Also thanks for describing and showing alternate types of parts used on different bikes

[@ZeroColdx911]

I just serviced my BB and that markings/letters do follow the way they should go in, helped me big time when installing it back. I used a caliper to confirm as well.

[@borderlands6606]

Glad you changed the bearings. A lot of people go to all the trouble of removing a bottom bracket, then put the old bearings in! A worn or broken bearing will quickly destroy all the others and the cup. I used to go to a bike shop where the owner wouldn't use a new bearing if it fell to the floor, and would only insert them with fingers or a soft plastic tool. Loose bearings come in different grades and few of them are expensive, especially if bought from a bearing supplier. I mainly use sealed bearings now as they are so much better protected and aligned than the loose variety.

[@chrlmlln9018]

Dear, sir! A very big THANK to your very good and helpful instruction on how to overhaul the bottom bracket! I really needed your instructions! Wishing you all the best, please stay safe and healthy! Best regards from Sweden!

[@pi416]

Great tutorial! Have used it for like the 3rd time when I need to take by bike apart, thanks for making it!

[@Desi365]

Hey, this is the $30 Centurion ! Nice to see it coming back to life ! Dirty old tires make a bike ugly, need changing asap !

[@cee1894]

Thanks RJ, your site is the place to go when I need to know. Really helpful.

[@wceager]

This was a great video! I just completed the overhaul of my bottom bracket on my 1970s Kabuki 12 speed. Turns out the spindle was installed backward. Maybe from the factory? The technique to find the right position for the chain ring crank is so important. There definitely was a better position on the square taper. It made a difference. I also replaced the caged bearings (9 @ 1/4") with 11 loose bearings. And Park Tool HPG. Thank you RJ.

[@mikebrock1965]

Thanks a lot. This was the best video I could find. Had to replace the bearings on my Schwinn. But didn't have the plastic dust shield.

[@francoaliwalas5857]

Finally, a video tutorial that have a nice position of the camera, very informative and easy to understand and have the same crank of my bike. Thank You My Guy 😊 Love You So Much For Posting This Video❤️💖

[@davideulivieri5138]

Very well done, nice & clear explanation. Very informative, as always!

[@IsaacGonzalez-et2bq]

very useful. Now I know what I'm getting myself into. A few hours of work and several tools/materials which I don't have....I have a specialized rockhopper 2011 so not sure what I'll need yet, but this video I appreciate...

[@thebiggerbyte5991]

An excellent tutorial - will be servicing mine tomorrow! Thanks, RJ!

[@adamclark3428]

Brilliant video, super solid tutorial to help me restore my vintage bike

[@robhall2108]

Brilliant video and gave me confidence to tackle my 1996 Peugeot racing bike Always been scared to refurbish bottom brackets but not any more Well done 👍🏻 for posting such an informative and helpful tutorial

[@dat14u84]

This is the first KZbin video that I have seen in awhile.. you are amazing.. you help me fix my daughter's wheels l so I can fix her bike🎉🎉🎉 and now it is 7 we haven't eaten dinner because I was trying to get the dishes done and put her chain on until I watched your video and seen the problem! Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you God bless you always

[@Vikingman2024]

great video, very well done! When installing the first row of bearings, held in place with the grease, you need to check it after hammering on the nut with the wooden mallet to make sure they have not fallen out of position.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have never had a problem.

[@jasterable]

I was thinking the same cause all that hitting made me think that the loose balls can fall out

[@albery1472]

Brilliant video. I just picked up my classic Miyata Le Mans bike from the most well known shop here in Dubai, and... the new bearings rub, so I suspect it's been overtightened. Sometimes you just have to buy your own tools and do it yourself. Thank you very much for all of your really informative, and well put together videos.

[@JackS947]

Such a helpful video. Thank you so much all the way from the UK!

[@ipodgolfer13]

Let me share a story with you RJ. Recetly inherited a Carbon frame Dave Scott Triatholon bike maybe circa 1988ish, not sure. I was servicing the bottom bracket just like this one. Sat in a garage for 25-30 years and honestly was in amazing shape other than the usual things you need to swap out over time (tape, grease, cables, etc). As I'm putting the drive side bearing cup back in after cleaning and regreasing, I drop it and in my attempts to catch it, I punch it across the garage and then proceed to hunt down all eleven ball bearings for the next hour. Was not pleased. Didn't make that mistake again.

[@tech2171]

Really helpful thanks, just what I needed to know.

[@howardk04]

All of your videos really help me on my bike so thanks

[@robertferriter6908]

RJ- Bike Guy-thank you for your wonderful and insightful video. I was stuck with my Bridgestone 400, but you walked me through it. Excellent product knowledge that I can't get anywhere else, and well put together as well. Thanks again.

[@robeltesfay9755]

That's great job and it was very helpful lessons that's not easy to take the bearing of and replace on it. Thank you to your dedication

[@kajkob]

This is STILL the best video on the subject.. RJ is the GOAT.

[@HamBone123456789ten]

All your videos are super clear and helpful. Thanks.

[@musicgurupj4861]

You are just the KING of repairs RJ...Thanks..😾💪🏻

[@edyue1]

Thanks man, I didn't know that the drive side is clockwise, I was battling with it until I watched your video. Thanks, saved me a $ from taking it in the shop.

[@rchandos]

Me too! Was futily torquing away in the wrong direction, until I saw this video. Really helps when you turn it the right way!

[@treeefrogUK]

I always remember the rotation direction as: "left is right and right is wrong." On another note re grease on the square taper - that's a steel shaft and an aluminium pedal arm. Galvanic corrosion will soon join two dissimilar metals just from rainwater getting drawn into the gap between the shaft and the arm by capillary action - to say nothing of winter salt! I've needed an angle grinder to get a pedal arm off before now. With that in mind, I prefer a thin smear of grease on the taper, and take care not to overtighten the nuts/bolts.

[@fendermon]

@@treeefrogUK Great tips, tanks :)

[@tlecki1]

What a brill videos I've to say. Prob the best advisor on yt you are. I totally stuck with my bike repair at the moment but I'm watching you and moving forward step by step. Totay I stuck with cap removal on drive side but now I know I've to buy that specific tool

[@allankelly652]

Very easy to follow and great detailed info. Cheers lad!

[@rickyvann8679]

Thanks r j , first time viewer and bike maintenance on my just recently found rusty murray from behind the tool shed . Good informative video.

[@charlesmoore4242]

Thanks RJ for another insightful video!

[@that70sschwinn]

Great demonstration RJ

[@crdiazmunoz]

Thank you for taking the time in making this helpful video.

[@curt5288]

Ive been figuring out this stuff for hours! THANKS!

[@explosivemallard8038]

The crankset stuff is so surprisingly complex and un-standardized, it annoys me every time I think about them. Oh and all the specialized tools... Sometimes bikes seem like a scam.

[@steveholcomb1904]

Excellent: you are a true teacher, thank you

[@piyushrajput3907]

This is my second video which I am watching and the knowledge is just amazing, specially the reverse threading of the lock nut ... I subscribed

[@_EDDE_]

👍 Amazing!!!! So informative!!! Best Bike-Guy in the world!!! Thank you sooo much, RJ!!!!

[@johnlindsay3647]

Always remember that when I was doing my one-piece cranksets as a kid balls out it's a crude term but it works every time you can remember of all balls out

[@thetalkingfly]

RJ- perfect instructions thank you! Cheers, TTF

[@tobyhart2149]

Super helpful, very detailed explanation! Life saver 🙏🏻

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@williamsteele8891]

Thanks for the great video! Much great advice on getting my old schwinn traveler 3 back on the bike trail.

[@martyspeilburg5642]

Thanks a lot for explaining the minute details; those are what really help.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cooltunesmadeeasy]

Best tutorial ever got me through my replacement thank you

[@rchandos]

Excellent demonstration, thank you!

[@dickterpene8697]

" And I'm just gonna pull this guy off " hehe pretty funny Beavis

[@fredbloggs1917]

Many thanks, great explanation. I'm just about to remove the BB on my old GT.

[@stevelampley2591]

This was most instructional! Fun as well.

[@jimbob036]

Years ago when I was learning about bike maintenance, I was always told to leave a little bit of play in the bearings (wheels, crank, headset & pedals), so that the bearing surfaces couldn't grind together. Nowadays, on most of the videos I see, the advice is to have the bearings running smoothly, but with no play. Has this changed, or is it just a matter of preference?

[@dogphlap6749]

This video shows exactly what I wanted to see. Thanks very much.

[@dogphlap6749]

I obtained the specialised puller and removed the non-chain side crank. What surprised me was the amount of force I had to use i.e. I needed a 1m long breaker bar on the centre bolt of the puller and a 1m tube over the supplied spanner to separate the crank from the square shaft end. I was expecting a 'crack' like you get when separating the ground steel taper surfaces for a track rod end on a car but no, the separation was slow and took place over at least a full turn of the puller centre bolt. Still all good. With the crank off it was a matter of a minute to adjust out the excess play in the bike's bottom bracket. Another surprise was that my time to complete my morning ride has dropped from around 15:17 to 14 something so I guess the slack in the bottom bracket bearings was somehow absorbing some of my pathetic leg power. Who knew that would happen ?

[@mrmime125]

Nice job, I adore your videos! :)

[@adraxss1]

Great video, very helpful! thanks!

[@meadows408]

Thanks for the video. I've had trouble with a couple of old bikes getting the threads on the bottom bracket clean, they felt gritty when I was trying to install the cups. My solution was to use some detailers clay to press into the threads and it cleaned them out pretty well. I think silly putty would also work.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z3rVcnqGZ5eJaZY

[@zakdk1]

...thanxs RJjust ,done one of these exact the same way last week ,watching this video assured me that i done it propely .

[@duncandee2514]

Another brilliant video from RJ 👍👍😎

[@Bikecampcook]

Needed this today thanks so much saved me time and worked a treat.

[@billbill2032]

Another great video RJ

[@user-yu2fv1zn4v]

I do not understand your language but looking I could understand a little more. Greetings I send you from ARGENTINA Villa Mercedes S.L Note: I speak Spanish and translate this text using the Google translator

[@geoffreycarter3981]

@Nobody Special Auto translate in the KZbin video settings.

[@Legendigo]

Thank you for this excellent video.

[@BrotherApps]

good camera work and explanation, thanks much

[@ryansedig7925]

This is exactly what I needed, thanks!

[@oghenefejiro3540]

Great tutorial 👍🏾! Got some worthy knowledge from it . Thanks ! Kudos 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@crispernator]

I have just done this i had to do it in reverse as i couldnt get the non drive side crank of while on the bike thought i had stripped the thread using the crank remover ,got it into a vice and tried the remover again and it came of watching your videos are good as you explain the procedures well my bike doesnt have that plastic thingo inside the framework and looking at the cranks i think someone else has had a go at them before me and they probably forgot to put it back in dont think it will matter much though .

[@davidknibbs9646]

Thanks for guy's like you . I just took off the bottom bracket and because it was making noise and I took it off and it was rusty inside of there but no plastic insert and I didn't count how many bearings in there. But I think something was holding the bearing in place its all rusted in there fell apart. Remember it was full of rust. Should I try to inspect the bearings or replace them and can I use packing grace for the bearings 😢😊

[@pascaladl]

Thanks, that really helped!

[@thepunisher1951]

omg sir, thank you so much, I don't know what to say, you just saved my life, I'll remember this.

[@zone7629]

Good video for those of us with older frames and not the new shit. Thanks.

[@r.davies2702]

Just bought my first vintage bike. Swapped that type out for a cartridge BB, future proofing and saves me buying yet more BB tools.

[@steeveknight1079]

Yep! Still soo good. Covers everything.

[@jeremyrichards8327]

These old style cup bearings are fun to adjust to get perfect smoothness. Even tightening the locking can move the cup slightly outwards. Trial and error and a lot of patience.

[@johnobiro5202]

Thanks. That was very informative.

[@izzyramos-gunn9895]

Are there any performance benefits with a sealed cartridge bottom bracket? All I see is that it's sealed from the elements and easier to maintain, but other than that, does it perform better? I have a 1980's trek 1000 that's in excellent condition that needs the bb serviced, but I'm not sure if a sealed cartridge is best, or if i should just keep it original.

[@emmettroche313]

these videos are a great help

[@wannadzhan3058]

Thank you very much for your information.I learn so much in this video

[@xtman693]

My 1985 Diamond Back Apex had the Biopace sprockets. I remember having to adjust that set up, snug but not too tight. Even kept well greased the spindle would always get pitted over time.

[@johnr625]

Great, well explained, informative video. Thank you

[@gc1418]

This was great, thanks very much!

[@salamwak3394]

thank u for this useful video !! i learn much ..

[@MaverickMeho]

Grea! I have to sevice kids bikes and this is the type of turorial that I need!

[@svelobikes9049]

Hi! I overhauled the bottom bracket on my winter bike recently (really recently, yesterday, in fact), a cup and cone like this, but it's still creaking and hard to pedal mid-stroke. I tried loosening it, but it doesn't seem to help the problem. Could something be out of round? What should I do? Thanks!

[@anzaborrego399]

Thank you for the excellent instruction!

[@joecunio8103]

thank you :) mine is spinning lovely now :)

[@melainkinney7213]

is there going to be some wobble when u move the peddles like towards the last few seconds when your tugging on the peddle arm . my Batch 27.5 bike ( there made by huffy suppose to be step up ) seems to wobble if i tug on it like you did the bolts are firm .I hate to take it to a bike shop for a no fix problem or a simple tighten of a bolt bike rides fine i'm close to parting with the bike it sorta I hate to but a 1 x 7 served me well but i'm riding 500 small miles a month its time i honestly thought the bike would not survive last 8 months at first i thought i'd hate a one by bike but i'm hooked less to fix and adjust the clincher is i never leave 7 th gear even on minor hill climbs as most folk i want more speed thank you for any tips the bike is staying in the family giving it to my daughter if it survived me it last her easy