Self-extracting crank cap loose: ok to ride?

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 15:30:53 -0500, Rick Onanian <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it.

It does seem tight enough that it won't randomly thread out, but is there any sort of screwing
force on it that I don't know about?

I expect the tool will come in before the weather becomes reasonable anyway.

There's a small danger that it will fall out from vibration, but it won't affect the bolt holding
your crank on. Kinky Cowboy*

*Batteries not included May contain traces of nuts Your milage may vary

being as it doesn't hold the crank on, and they tend to fall out & get lost if loose, & be
expensive/imossible to replace, i'd ride without it until the tool arrives.

Rick Onanian said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it.

It does seem tight enough that it won't randomly thread out, but is there any sort of screwing
force on it that I don't know about?

I expect the tool will come in before the weather becomes reasonable anyway.
--
Rick Onanian

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 15:30:53 -0500, Rick Onanian <[email hidden]>

may have said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it.

Remove cap.

Place in safe receptacle.

Ride bike until tool arrives.

Replace cap properly.

This is preferable to wondering if the cap will still be there when the tool comes in. If you're
worried about crud in the hole, put a piece of the handyman's secret weapon (duct tape) over it for
now. (You *do* have duct tape in a color that matches your frame, right?)

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Yes, I have a killfile. If I don't respond to something,
it's also possible that I'm busy.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Rick Onanian said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it.

It does seem tight enough that it won't randomly thread out, but is there any sort of screwing
force on it that I don't know about?

As Jobst points out in the FAQ:

"Dust caps" aren't just dust caps but retention for loose bolts. It is not that the bolt unscrews
but that the crank moves up the taper. However, once the screw is unloaded it can subsequently
unscrew and fall out if there is no cap.

draco.acs.uci.edu8f.11.htmlOpen ↗

I would use a punch and lightly tap the dust cap to tighten it a bit until the proper tool arrives.

Art Harris

Arthur Harris said:

Rick Onanian said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it.

It does seem tight enough that it won't randomly thread out, but is there any sort of screwing
force on it that I don't know about?

As Jobst points out in the FAQ:

"Dust caps" aren't just dust caps but retention for loose bolts. It is not that the bolt unscrews
but that the crank moves up the taper. However, once the screw is unloaded it can subsequently
unscrew and fall out if there is no cap.

draco.acs.uci.edu8f.11.htmlOpen ↗

I would use a punch and lightly tap the dust cap to tighten it a bit until the proper tool
arrives.

One could simply fill the cavity with Shoe Goo, Form-a-Gasket or a similar substance.

Tom Sherman - Quad Cities

Arthur Harris said:

Rick Onanian said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it.

It does seem tight enough that it won't randomly thread out, but is there any sort of screwing
force on it that I don't know about?

As Jobst points out in the FAQ:

"Dust caps" aren't just dust caps but retention for loose bolts. It is not that the bolt unscrews
but that the crank moves up the taper. However, once the screw is unloaded it can subsequently
unscrew and fall out if there is no cap.

Isn't he talking about the conventional non-extracting type? In any case, a bit of threadlock stops
them coming loose.

On Sun, 01 Feb 2004 08:18:59 -0600, Tom Sherman

may have said:

One could simply fill the cavity with Shoe Goo, Form-a-Gasket or a similar substance.

And have the devil's own time getting the wrench on the bolt for the next removal. (If the cranks in
question were not of the self-extracting variety, the problem would be even worse due to clogging of
the extraction threads with the goo.)

Unfortunately, using loctite on the threads of the bolt may also be a bad idea, as it changes the
torquing characteristics of the bolt.

Both of those things said, lots of people ride very long distances with no dust caps, and don't seem
to have a problem.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Yes, I have a killfile. If I don't respond to something,
it's also possible that I'm busy.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it.

It does seem tight enough that it won't randomly thread out, but is there any sort of screwing
force on it that I don't know about?

I expect the tool will come in before the weather becomes reasonable anyway.

Its unlikely to fall out in the week or so before your tool arrives. However, the self-extracting
mechanism, although ingenious, isn't real reliable. You didn't mention which crank you have but if
it is a Shimano type with a hollow bottom bracket spindle, you can buy a small tool to use for
pulling the crank. It caps the hollow BB spindle and you can then use a conventional crank puller on
it. The Shimano PN is TLFC15.

Tom

Quoted message said:

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it. It does seem tight enough that it
won't randomly thread out, but is there any sort of screwing force on it that I don't know about?
I expect the tool will come in before the weather becomes reasonable anyway.

Thomas Reynolds said:

Its unlikely to fall out in the week or so before your tool arrives. However, the self-extracting
mechanism, although ingenious, isn't real reliable. You didn't mention which crank you have but if
it is a Shimano type with a hollow bottom bracket spindle, you can buy a small tool to use for
pulling the crank. It caps the hollow BB spindle and you can then use a conventional crank puller
on it. The Shimano PN is TLFC15.

I'm well known as being skeptical of everything new but I don't see why you say these are
not reliable.

From the original Sugino Autex to Shimano's OneKeyRelease to Campagnolo's left-threaded device,
even Steve Miller's SpeedMetal covers - they all seem to work reliably as long as the cover is
tight in the crank and the bolt is lubricated on both sides.

I can't recall one which did not secure the arm properly or failed to remove it, except where gross
mechanic ineptitude was at fault. (dry fasteners) Can you?

--
Andrew Muzi www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Werehatrack said:

Remove cap. Ride bike until tool arrives.

Cool.

Quoted message said:

(You *do* have duct tape in a color that matches your frame, right?)

Yellow. Yes.
--
Rick Onanian

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Is it okay to ride with the "dust cap" ring on my new self-extracting crank insufficiently torqued
until my pin spanner comes in via mail order? I've tightened it with a tool that I improvised out
of a snap ring plier set, but I can't get much torque into it.

It does seem tight enough that it won't randomly thread out, but is there any sort of screwing
force on it that I don't know about?

I expect the tool will come in before the weather becomes reasonable anyway.

Hi Rick, did you try using the included tool? I found that the tool Shimano includes for use with
the chainrings, has two pins on one end that is the correct size for the dust cap. I just got my new
DA triple and it worked fine. The install on the BB and crankset went like clockwork. Next is the
new bars, stem and DA brifters. It will be my first time running and installing cables, should be
interesting. Life is Good! Jeff

On 5 Feb 2004 17:48:54 -0800, [email hidden] (Jeff Starr)

Quoted message said:

Hi Rick, did you try using the included tool? I found that the tool Shimano includes for use with
the chainrings, has two pins on one end that is the correct size for the dust cap. I just got my
new DA triple

Er...I don't think the Ultegra comes with it. I don't remember seeing a tool in there.
--
Rick Onanian

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

(Jeff Starr) said:

Hi Rick, did you try using the included tool? I found that the tool Shimano includes for use with
the chainrings, has two pins on one end that is the correct size for the dust cap. I just got my
new DA triple

Er...I don't think the Ultegra comes with it. I don't remember seeing a tool in there.

Hi Rick, here is what it looks like, mine was included.

cambriabike.comshimano tl fc20 chainring tool.htmOpen ↗

I put my new Easton carbon fiber bars and the DA levers on today. Tomorrow I'm going to start
running the cables. So far, so good. Life is Good! Jeff

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Er...I don't think the Ultegra comes with it. I don't remember seeing a tool in there.

(Jeff Starr) said:

Hi Rick, here is what it looks like, mine was included. cambriabike.comshimano tlOpen ↗
fc20_chainring_tool.htm

Definitely not included with my Ultegra crank. I bought it from Cambria, and it came in a
retail box.

I ordered this tool, on backorder right now: cambriabike.compark spa 6 spanner.htmOpen ↗

If I need a chainring bolt tool, I'll buy that when I need it.

Quoted message said:

Life is Good!

It certainly is.
--
Rick Onanian