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:

The wrench at 6:45 is this:

How to remove stuck fixed cup:

How to convert to sealed cartridge bottom bracket:

Replace caged bearings with loose bearings in BB:

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[nobbyclark]

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 !

[anthonyorosco]

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 YouTube 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.

[kevinhill]

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.

[michaelkirwan]

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.

[johnpontaoe]

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

[versatileduplicity]

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

[Vikingman]

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.

[robbiestevens]

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!

[borderlands]

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.

[zr]

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

[kajkob]

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

[walterdalpiaz]

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

[r.davies]

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

[mikeleiby]

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

[datu]

This is the first YouTube 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

[andrewbarrett]

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.

[ipodgolfer]

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.

[majorpain]

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.

[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.

[robhall]

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