How to Remove Bike Cranks

Removing bike cranks is easy if you have the right tools.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Clamp bike into repair stand.

2. Remove the dust cap if there is one.

3. Remove the crank bolts. This will generally be a 14mm or 15mm bolt that should be removed with the appropriate crank bolt wrench, or a new-style bolt that can be removed with an 8mm Allen wrench.

4. Remove any washers that might sit between the bolt and the crank.

5. Thread in the crank puller. Start this by hand to make sure you don't cross thread it, and thread it in as far as you can. Get it snug but not too tight with a wrench.

6. Tighten the push bolt on the puller until it comes into contact with the bottom bracket spindle (some tools require a wrench, others have a built-in handle). Continue to tighten the push bolt until the cranks come off the bottom bracket spindle.

7. Remove the puller from the crankarm.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have newer Campagnolo cranks, be careful. Some of these cranks have left-hand threads and a 7mm hex bolt with a built-in extractor. Check with your local bike shop if you are unsure.
• Be very careful not to strip the threads on the inside on the crankarm. If they get damaged, your cranks will be very hard to pull off in the future.

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