How To Remove Bike Crank Without Puller?

How to Remove a Bike Crank Without a Puller

If you’re looking to remove your bike cranks for a deep clean, a bearing replacement, or any other reason, you may have realized that you don’t have a crank puller on hand. Don’t worry, you can still get the job done with a few simple tools.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to remove a bike crank without a puller. We’ll also provide some tips and tricks to make the process easier. So whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or you’re just getting started, read on for all the information you need to know.

Step Instructions Image
1 Remove the pedals from the crank arms.
2 Locate the crank bolt on the non-drive side of the bike.
3 Use a 14mm wrench to loosen the crank bolt.
4 Use a vise grip to hold the crank arm in place while you loosen the crank bolt.
5 Once the crank bolt is loose, you can remove the crank arm from the bike.

Tools and Materials Needed

To remove a bike crank without a crank puller, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • A 15mm socket wrench
  • A 14mm socket wrench
  • A 17mm socket wrench
  • A torque wrench
  • A set of metric Allen keys
  • A bike chain
  • A piece of wood
  • A hammer

Steps to Remove the Crank Without a Puller

1. Remove the pedals. To do this, loosen the pedals with a 15mm socket wrench. Once the pedals are loose, you can remove them by turning them counterclockwise.
2. Remove the crank arm bolts. The crank arm bolts are located on the inside of the crank arms. To remove them, you will need a 14mm socket wrench. Once the bolts are loose, you can remove them by turning them counterclockwise.
3. Remove the crank arm bearings. The crank arm bearings are located on the inside of the crank arms. To remove them, you will need a 17mm socket wrench. Once the bearings are loose, you can remove them by turning them counterclockwise.
4. Remove the crank arm. To remove the crank arm, you will need to use a bike chain and a piece of wood. First, wrap the bike chain around the crank arm and the frame of the bike. Then, place the piece of wood on top of the bike chain and hammer it until the crank arm comes loose.
5. Reinstall the crank arm. To reinstall the crank arm, you will need to reverse the steps above. First, reinstall the crank arm bearings. Then, reinstall the crank arm bolts. Finally, reinstall the pedals.

Removing a bike crank without a crank puller can be a difficult task, but it is possible with the right tools and materials. By following the steps above, you can safely and successfully remove your bike crank without damaging your bike.

3. Common Problems and Solutions

There are a few common problems that you may encounter when trying to remove a bike crank without a puller. Here are some of the most common problems and solutions:

  • The crank is stuck. If the crank is stuck, you can try using a penetrating oil to loosen it. Spray the oil on the crank and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, try to loosen the crank again. You can also try using a heat gun to warm up the crank. This will help to loosen the metal and make it easier to remove.
  • The crank is seized. If the crank is seized, you will need to use a more aggressive method to remove it. You can try using a hammer and chisel to break the crank loose. Be careful not to damage the frame or other components of the bike. You can also try using a pipe wrench to remove the crank.
  • The crank is cross-threaded. If the crank is cross-threaded, you will need to remove it and then re-thread it. To remove the crank, you will need to use a crank puller. To re-thread the crank, you will need to use a tap and die set.

Here are some tips for removing a bike crank without a puller:

  • Use a penetrating oil to loosen the crank.
  • Try to loosen the crank with a wrench or pliers.
  • Use a heat gun to warm up the crank.
  • Use a hammer and chisel to break the crank loose.
  • Use a pipe wrench to remove the crank.
  • Remove the crank and then re-thread it.

4. Tips for Removing the Crank Without a Puller

Here are some tips for removing the crank without a puller:

  • Use a penetrating oil to loosen the crank. Penetrating oil will help to dissolve the rust and grime that may be binding the crank to the frame. Spray the oil on the crank and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, try to loosen the crank with a wrench or pliers.
  • Try to loosen the crank with a heat gun. A heat gun can help to loosen the crank by expanding the metal. Hold the heat gun a few inches away from the crank and turn it on high. Move the heat gun around the crank until it is warm all over. Then, try to loosen the crank with a wrench or pliers.
  • Use a hammer and chisel to break the crank loose. If the crank is stuck, you can try using a hammer and chisel to break it loose. Place the chisel between the crank and the frame and tap it with the hammer. Be careful not to damage the frame or other components of the bike.
  • Use a pipe wrench to remove the crank. If the crank is seized, you can try using a pipe wrench to remove it. Place the pipe wrench on the crank arm and turn it counterclockwise. Be careful not to damage the crank arm or the frame.
  • Remove the crank and then re-thread it. If the crank is cross-threaded, you will need to remove it and then re-thread it. To remove the crank, you will need to use a crank puller. To re-thread the crank, you will need to use a tap and die set.

Removing a bike crank without a puller can be a challenge, but it is possible with the right tools and techniques. By following the tips in this guide, you can safely and successfully remove the crank from your bike.

How do I remove a bike crank without a puller?

There are a few ways to remove a bike crank without a puller. Here are two methods:

1. Using a socket wrench and a hammer

  • Step 1: Remove the pedals from the crank arms.
  • Step 2: Locate the crank bolt on the non-drive side of the bike. This is the bolt that holds the crank arm to the bottom bracket.
  • Step 3: Place a socket wrench on the crank bolt and use a hammer to turn the wrench counterclockwise. This will loosen the crank bolt and allow you to remove the crank arm.

2. Using a screwdriver and a wrench

  • Step 1: Remove the pedals from the crank arms.
  • Step 2: Locate the crank bolt on the non-drive side of the bike. This is the bolt that holds the crank arm to the bottom bracket.
  • Step 3: Insert a screwdriver into the slot in the crank arm and use a wrench to turn the crank arm counterclockwise. This will loosen the crank bolt and allow you to remove the crank arm.

What if the crank bolt is stuck?

If the crank bolt is stuck, you can try using a penetrating oil to loosen it. Apply the penetrating oil to the crank bolt and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, try to loosen the crank bolt using one of the methods above.

If the crank bolt is still stuck, you may need to use a more aggressive method, such as using a heat gun or a torch to heat up the crank arm. Be careful not to damage the bike frame when using heat.

What if I don’t have a socket wrench or a screwdriver?

If you don’t have a socket wrench or a screwdriver, you can try using a pair of pliers to remove the crank bolt. However, this is not recommended, as it is more likely to damage the crank arm.

If you don’t have any tools, you can take your bike to a bike shop and have them remove the crank arm for you.

How do I reinstall the crank arm?

To reinstall the crank arm, follow these steps:

1. Apply a small amount of grease to the threads of the crank bolt.
2. Insert the crank arm into the bottom bracket.
3. Thread the crank bolt into the bottom bracket.
4. Use a wrench to tighten the crank bolt until it is snug.
5. Reinstall the pedals.

What are the risks of removing a bike crank without a puller?

There are a few risks associated with removing a bike crank without a puller. These risks include:

  • Damaging the crank arm or bottom bracket.
  • Scratching the bike frame.
  • Getting injured.

If you are not comfortable removing a bike crank without a puller, it is best to take your bike to a bike shop and have them do it for you.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to remove a bike crank without a puller. We have covered a variety of methods, including using a screwdriver, a hammer, and a rod. We have also provided tips on how to safely remove the crankset without damaging the bike.

We hope that this information has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Author Profile

Carla Denker
Carla Denker
Carla Denker first opened Plastica Store in June of 1996 in Silverlake, Los Angeles and closed in West Hollywood on December 1, 2017. PLASTICA was a boutique filled with unique items from around the world as well as products by local designers, all hand picked by Carla. Although some of the merchandise was literally plastic, we featured items made out of any number of different materials.

Prior to the engaging profile in west3rdstreet.com, the innovative trajectory of Carla Denker and PlasticaStore.com had already captured the attention of prominent publications, each one spotlighting the unique allure and creative vision of the boutique. The acclaim goes back to features in Daily Candy in 2013, TimeOut Los Angeles in 2012, and stretched globally with Allure Korea in 2011. Esteemed columns in LA Times in 2010 and thoughtful pieces in Sunset Magazine in 2009 highlighted the boutique’s distinctive character, while Domino Magazine in 2008 celebrated its design-forward ethos. This press recognition dates back to the earliest days of Plastica, with citations going back as far as 1997, each telling a part of the Plastica story.

After an illustrious run, Plastica transitioned from the tangible to the intangible. While our physical presence concluded in December 2017, our essence endures. Plastica Store has been reborn as a digital haven, continuing to serve a community of discerning thinkers and seekers. Our new mission transcends physical boundaries to embrace a world that is increasingly seeking knowledge and depth.

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