How to Remove a Bicycle Pedal Crank

There are a number of reasons you may need to remove the cranks from your bicycle. But in order to protect the bottom bracket and spindle -- basically the engine of your bike -- you need to use the correct tools and correct process.

Things You'll Need

  • Flat-headed screwdriver
  • Hex wrench or socket wrench set
  • Crank extractor tool
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Instructions

  1. Removing a Bike Crank

    • 1

      Determine what type of crankset you have. Most modern bicycles come with crank arms that attach to a spindle that turns through the center of the bottom bracket. Some lower-end bicycles make use of a one-piece crank that requires the entire bottom bracket to be disassembled to be removed. This article addresses the first style of pedal crank.

    • 2

      Remove the protector cap. Use a flat-headed screwdriver to pry off the plastic protector cap (if there is one) at the axis of the crank arm.

    • 3

      Remove the retaining bolt or nut at the spindle with a hex or socket wrench. This is usually a hex bolt threaded directly into the spindle or a hex nut threaded onto a bolt running through the spindle itself.

    • 4

      Thread the large end of the crank extractor tool into the crank arm at the spindle. Tighten it as far as it will go so it is seated against the spindle.

    • 5

      Turn the crank extractor core into the large end and hand-tighten until it stops. Then apply a wrench to the core bolt (usually comes with the core extractor) until it pushes the crank arm loose from the spindle.