How to Remove Square Taper Bottom Bracket? [Answered]

On average, a bottom bracket is supposed to last you anywhere from 1000 to 5000 miles. Once you have crossed that, you may need to consider changing.

That or you have noticed that when you pedal, you hear a loud creaking noise. Whatever the reason may be, this article will walk you through how to remove square taper bottom brackets.

Before diving in, let us learn what exactly a square taper bottom bracket is, how common they are and what may be the best way to remove them.

What is a Bottom Bracket?

If you are an avid bicycle rider, you may already know what a bottom bracket is. However, for the ones who do not know, the bottom bracket is essentially a connector between its crankset and its frame. This allows the bike’s transmission to rotate properly.

In simple words, this is the narrow cylindrical row you see that connects the pedals of the bike

As mentioned before, a standard bottom bracket is supposed to last you for a good couple thousand miles. However, once those miles are up, you may have to change them. The option to remove and replace will depend fully on your bike.

Some bikes have bottom bracket bearings that can be adjusted and repaired, but there are some that cannot be adjusted; rather, they will require you to replace them completely. Also, depending on the type of bottom bracket, the tools will very well differ.

Now that you are caught up with what a bottom bracket is let us discuss a square taper bottom bracket.

What is a Square Taper Bottom Bracket?

The more general term for this type of bottom bracket is the JIS Square Taper Bottom Bracket. ‘JIS’ means Japanese Industrial Standard, and these bottom brackets are common for bikes that fall on medium to low-quality bikes. These bicycles are meant to last a good couple of years, possibly 2 minimum.

Bicycles can be high maintenance and may require multiple repairs throughout. One of the many reasons why bikes are replaced is due to the bottom brackets. However, this does not need to be the case for all bikes. Once you replace the bottom brackets, they should last you a couple more years.

Before learning how to remove them, let us discuss the benefits of the square taper bottom brackets!

Benefits of Square Taper Bottom Brackets

1. One reason many people choose to replace the bottom brackets themselves is because it is much cheaper than getting it professionally replaced and definitely a lot cheaper than purchasing a whole new bike. This is where square taper bottom brackets come in. They are much cheaper to remove and replace than other types of bottom brackets.

2. Another benefit is the simplicity of both removal and installation of the square taper bottom bracket. It required significantly fewer tools to remove them

3. These bottom brackets are also awfully durable. They can be replaced over a dozen times, and they will not wear out.

4. The cranks of these spindles are very light. The lighter the spindle, the easier the pedals will rotate, giving you a smooth ride and an enjoyable experience. An additional benefit of this is that the smoother the pedal movements, the less effort you may have to put on pedaling the whole bike, making it a lot safer as well!

Now that you are caught up let us walk you through the steps to removing one

How to Remove Square Taper Bottom Bracket

In order to remove the square taper bottom bracket, you will need the following

• An Adjustable Wrench
• A bottom bracket removal tool (Aim for the standard type, which may be a 33-inch teeth bottom bracket removal tool)

Once you have the tools you require ready, and by your side, you may begin to remove the bottom bracket. Follow the steps below

Step 1- Locate the dry end of the bearing. On average, this would be the left side of the bicycle. With those, you always rotate counterclockwise.

Step 2- Place the bottom bracket removal tool on the cartridge and twist it until you get a grip.

Step 3- Once the tool has been adjusted, attach the adjustable wrench to the bottom of the tool and tighten it until you get a grip

Step 4- Now, you rotate counterclockwise. Keep rotating until the cup falls out. Be careful because sometimes (especially true if it is an older bike that has not been used for a couple of years), water may start spurting out.

Step 5- Once you have removed the dry side, move over to the other one.

Step 6- For this bearing, you follow the same instructions, only this time you rotate clockwise as opposed to counterclockwise. Keep rotating until the whole bearing comes out. Usually, on this side, the cup has been permanently fused to the bearing, so you will not be able to remove it.

Precautions

 

Oftentimes handling heavy-duty work can be stressful and overwhelming. For any work like this, it is always a good idea to have help around just in case. Additionally, make sure to follow the instructions below

1. Do NOT force the bottom bracket removal tool in too hard. Jamming the bearing may cause cosmetic damage to your bike

2. Ensure the wrench has been tightened around the tool. Without proper tightness, the wrench may slip, causing an accident

3. Always ensure you are moving the wrench in the right direction.

4. Bottom bracket removal tools come in a lot of different varieties; make sure to get the standard one as it may work on all times of bikes.

FAQs

1. What tools do I need to remove a square taper bottom bracket?

• You will need a bottom bracket tool, a adjustable wrench, and a hammer.

2. How do I know if my bottom bracket is square taper or not?

• Square taper bottom bracket are identifiable by the square shape of the spindle and the taper shape of the cups. If you are unsure, you can also check your bike’s manual or consult a professional.

3. Is it difficult to remove a square taper bottom bracket?

• It can be a bit tricky, but with the right tools and some patience, it is a task that can be done by anyone.

4. Can I reuse the bottom bracket after removing it?

• It depends on the condition of the bottom bracket. If it is worn or damaged, it will need to be replaced. If it is in good condition, it can be reused.

5. Can I remove a square taper bottom bracket without a bottom bracket tool?

• It is possible, but it will be much more difficult and may cause damage to the bottom bracket or your bike. It is recommended to use a bottom bracket tool for the best results.

6. Do I need to remove the crankset in order to remove the bottom bracket?

• No, you can remove the bottom bracket without removing the crankset.

7. Can I use a different bottom bracket tool other than the one recommended by the manufacturer?

• It is possible, but it is best to use the recommended tool to ensure proper fit and function.

8. Can I use a power tool to remove a square taper bottom bracket?

• It is not recommended, as excessive force can cause damage to the bottom bracket or your bike.

9. How long does it typically take to remove a square taper bottom bracket?

• It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your skill level and the condition of the bottom bracket.

10. What should I do if I am having trouble removing the bottom bracket?

• If you are having trouble, it is best to seek the help of a professional or consult your bike’s manual for further instructions.

Final words

Knowing how to remove square taper bottom bracket properly will benefit you in the long run. As mentioned before, doing it yourself is significantly cheaper and easier for most people.

Just be safe and precise to ensure you do not injure yourself or damage your bike. For the best results, always know exactly what type of bottom bracket you have so you know how to remove it better.

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