How to remove connecting rods from a bicycle without a stripper - useful recommendations

The question of how to remove connecting rods from a bicycle without a stripper occurs in situations where it is necessary to dismantle the specified part for replacement and maintenance. To remove the nodal element in a professional environment, specialized pullers are used. However, if you want, you can do without it. Let's see how to remove the bicycle rods, not using a puller.

What are the connecting rods?

The connecting rod is a detail that carries one of the most significant loads during movement. There are blocks of front stars that are connected with the connecting rod motionless. In this case, if there is a breakdown, you have to replace both connecting rods. On bikes of the top price category, the stars can be changed, disconnecting from the connecting rod as they wear out.

Questions regarding how to remove the connecting rods from a bicycle without a stripper, begin to bother the owners of bikes in the event of damage to these parts. To remove the element it is necessary to get free access to the carriage when it is adjusted.

Types of connecting rods

Before you figure out how to remove the connecting rods without a stripper, you need to consider their varieties and the way they are connected to the rest of the parts:

1. Single-component - are presented in the form of a monolithic construction, where the left and right elements are fixedly fixed to the axis. The advantage of this solution is high reliability, ease of maintenance and low weight due to the lack of fasteners.
2. Two-component - the axis, the right connecting rod and the driving star are connected in a single structure. The left connecting rod is attached to the system by fitting onto the nut.
3. Three-part - the most common option. Presented as a separate axis, as well as the right and left connecting rod, connected with an asterisk.

Materials of manufacture

During the movement on the connecting rods the highest load is necessary. Therefore, as a material for their production, solid steel is most often used. Recently, products made of aluminum alloys are in high demand. Most often, these solutions are used when completing sports bicycles, where a reduction in overall weight plays a decisive role.

Types of fasteners

To understand how to remove connecting rods from a bicycle without a stripper, it is important to understand the types of fastenings that are used to connect the parts to the stars. Modern products can be installed using nuts, slots or fasteners, made in the form of specific squares. Today, rotary connection is also available.

In what situations the connecting rod may need to be dismantled?

The connecting rod is a rather simple part that does not need special maintenance and care. Component replacement is most often performed due to mechanical damage. The need for removal can also arise when it is necessary to gain easy access to the carriage, adjust or rinse the system.

Often after driving in rainy weather, unpleasant creaks arise in the carriage area, caused by the ingress of sand and contaminants into the nodal mechanism. In this case, it may be necessary to remove the connecting rod to clean the seat.

In general, the connecting rod itself is not dismantled. To do this, a special puller is used, or the use of improvised methods, which will be discussed later.

We remove the connecting rods from the bicycle without a puller

In cases where a cyclist does not have access to a specialized tool, there are relatively few options for implementing the task. To remove the connecting rods from the bicycle without a stripper, you can resort to the following solutions:

1. Try to dismantle the connecting rod by force. Of course, in the case of a sledge hammer, there is a high probability of irreparable damage to the bearings and the carriage. Although the idea can bring the desired results, it is possible, because of your own laziness, you will have to resort to additional expenses for the repair of other parts.
2. The second option involves extensive treatment of joints with lubricants, followed by unscrewing the bolts. With the fasteners loose, it is enough to ride a few hundred meters on a bicycle, putting the maximum pressure on the connecting rods.
3. The next solution, which will make it possible to understand how to remove the connecting rods from a bicycle without a stripper, involves the use of a Bulgarian. With the help of the tool, a neat nail on the bushing is made. Then the hammer and the breakdown are finally dismantled. The main drawback of the method is the need to replace the old connecting rod.

Fitting the connecting rod

After dismantling the detail and performing all planned manipulations, it is necessary to return the structural element to its original position. Before carrying out the work, it is desirable to clean all surfaces and joints, and then perform their treatment with a thick lubricant. Such an approach will allow the crank to be installed evenly and make it much easier to work with the need for its next dismantling.

During the installation it is necessary to make a deep landing of the part on the shaft. This will avoid the appearance of play in the course of movement. If the connecting rod is not tight enough, the socket will gradually become unusable. To securely fasten the workpiece, a force of about 50-70 Nm is sufficient.