Hello,

I have an FSA SLK crankset. I noticed that the left BB cup had come loose so I have to tighten it. In order to do so I have to get the left crank arm of. It is attached with an M18 crank bolt. However I can not get the left crank arm from the spindle.

I think they used some kind of retainer compound during installation.

Is there a trick to do this? Or some kind of tool I can get?

Any help would be greatly appriciated!

Thanks,

Martin

Well,,, if you don't have a small gear puller,, then put the nut back on very loosely, and ride arround the block standing up. This will work it loose. Maake sure there is some slop inthe nut, so the arm can come loose,,, but do put it on, 'cause if the arm were to fall clear off you will be singing suprano for a while. (or worse)

I have an FSA SLK crankset. I noticed that the left BB cup had come loose so I have to tighten it. In order to do so I have to get the left crank arm of. It is attached with an M18 crank bolt. However I can not get the left crank arm from the spindle.

I think they used some kind of retainer compound during installation.

Is there a trick to do this? Or some kind of tool I can get?

From your question, it is not obvious that you have a crank removal tool. Are you saying that you're using a crank puller and you still can't get it off, or do you not have a crank puller? Cranks are press fit onto the BB axle, and therefore require a tool for removal. Crank pullers are available through most bike shops, mail order catalogs, on-line stores, etc. You need a tool that matches your crank - they are not all the same, but there are not many variations. If you have a tool and you still can't get it off, then Visitor302's suggestion will most often work.

Thanks for the reply!

The crankset is a so called "self extracting" one. I didnt know if I could use a crank puller on that. I don't see what is self extracting on this system. When I unscrew the crank bolt the left crank arm is still firmly attached!

I can try the 1st ,emtioned option but I am affraid to damage something.

Thanks

The crankset is a so called "self extracting" one. I didnt know if I could use a crank puller on that. I don't see what is self extracting on this system. When I unscrew the crank bolt the left crank arm is still firmly attached!
Does it look like these?
http://www.fullspeedahead.com/flyimage.aspx?nm=bolts.jpg
Did you remove the black ring, or did that ring unthread when you backed out the bolt? That ring is supposed to stay threaded in the crankarm (tighten it with the appropriate pin spanner). Then when you back out the bolt its top pushes against the ring, which is firmly attached to the arm, and the arm gets pulled outward.

That's how the "self-extraction" works. But I think you can use a regular crank puller.

The crankset is a so called "self extracting" one. I didnt know if I could use a crank puller on that. I don't see what is self extracting on this system. When I unscrew the crank bolt the left crank arm is still firmly attached!

Assuming the self-extracting bolts are properly installed, you have to do more than just loosen the bolts. You have to continue unscrewing them until you encounter significant resistance, and then continue some more until the crank arm comes loose from the axle. You are using the bolt as the crank puller, and it takes significant force to do this.

Yes I removed the dustcap completely before unscrewing the bolt. That's why I didn't see how this thing would come loose by itself. :mad2:

Thanks for pointing that out guys!

Hey - let's revive this, please. I have an SL-K crankset and want to do some routine bearing maintenance and cannot get the L crank arm to back out. When I try the 'self extracting' method I just can't apply enough pressure on the allen key to back the arm off. I even used a hammer to try to tap the allen key to spin it and thereby extract the crank arm. While it was turning slightly, I feared damaging the unit.

Is it just a matter of more force, perhaps a 'breaker' bar on the allen wrench?

Other tricks?

Ride around the block on loose cranks to break them free?

Thanks!