Bottom Bracket Installation
Last time, I installed the Manitou Bulge FS Ti fork on the Marin Palisades Trail frame.
Next, I installed the bottom bracket on the frame. To install or remove a bottom bracket from a frame, I use a special splined bottom bracket tool designed specifically for sealed cartridge style bottom brackets. The tool is not expensive so I bought one when I got my first used mountain bike to work on. I think the tool cost me about $16.00 from Price Point. If you don’t want to buy the nut or to work on the bottom bracket yourself, you can always bring the frame and bottom bracket to your local bike shop and pay them to install it for you.
Splined Bottom Bracket Tool and Wrench
I had a working condition bottom bracket that was the right size and the right type that will fit the crank that came with the Marin frame. The bottom bracket is the square taper type as oppose to the newer splined type. In addition to the splined bottom bracket tool, I used a wrench and some grease to install the bottom bracket.
Here how I installed the bottom bracket:
First – I cleaned the threads inside the bottom bracket shell of the frame.
Second – I put a lot of grease on the threads.
Third – I then insert the bottom bracket cartridge into the bottom bracket shell from the right side or drive side – the side with the chain, chain rings and freewheel. The bottom bracket should have “L” and “‘R” printed on the label to help with orientation. The right side of the bottom bracket also has a lip.
Forth – I first finger turn – to make sure I don’t cross the threads – the bottom bracket into the shell by turning counterclockwise.
Bottom Bracket Insert from Drive Side
Fifth – When I no longer can turn the bottom bracket with my fingers, I used the bottom bracket tool and wrench to continue turning the bottom bracket until the lip is pressed up firmly against the side of the bottom bracket shell.
Retainer Cup Installation
Sixth – I then thread the plastic or aluminum cup into the bottom bracket shell from the left side by turning the cup clockwise. Again, I started tightening with my fingers first and then finished with the bottom bracket tool and wrench.
Bottom Bracket Installed in Frame
Seventh – It’s recommended that the bottom bracket be tightened with a torque wrench to about 25-30 foot-pounds of pressure. I don’t have a torque wrench so I guess. I don’t want to over tighten the cup – It could break. I usually check the bottom bracket on my bikes now and then just to make sure the cartridge is not loosening up.
Installing the bottom bracket is not difficult. The whole process took me about 15 minutes.
Next, I am putting tubes and tires on the wheels and put the wheel on the frame.
Check out pictures of the headset installation on the Marin Palisades Trail Frame.
Check out the star nut installation on the Manitou Bulge FS Ti fork.
Check out the bottom bracket installation on a Marin Palisades Trail Frame.
Here is a picture of the built up 2001 Marin Palisades Trail mountain bike.
