Customer Reviews

Park Tool BBT-22 Shimano Sealed Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Park Tool is widely regarded as the best bicycle-specific tool maker. This bottom bracket tool, essentially the socket end of a 1/2" drive socket wrench, makes it easy to see why. It's splined to fit Shimano sealed cartridge bottom brackets, just like a very similar socket I have from another manufacturer. The crucial differences are two: fit and contour. The tool snaps very precisely on to the bottom bracket, making easier work of a removal job that can be difficult due to overtightening or seized threads. Just as importantly, the top of the socket is contoured so that if the drive handle is providing insufficient leverage to do the job, one can fit a box end or open end wrench over the hex-shaped top of the socket. This makes possible the "desperation method," in which the socket must actually be bolted to the spindle of the bottom bracket and then turned a little at a time (often with much swearing, cheater pipes, etc). In the "seriously desperate" version of the desperation method, the tool can be bolted to the bottom bracket spindle and then clamped into a vice, with the entire frame being turned as a lever to move the seized threads. The shape of this tool makes that clamping possible.

If you have to do this, make sure to treat yourself to a beer or similar reward afterward. But with this tool, you can! If you're blessed not to need that method, this tool will work exactly as it should anyway, and for years to come.

Used this Park Tool BBT-22 to remove the bottom bracket (Shimano square taper) from my 1996 Specialized Allez. After 14 years it was about time to replace it! There is EXCELLENT instructional material at Park Tools website on how to do this.
First, remove the cranks. No easy task. The local bike store could not do it, they have the Park Tool crank puller. They took out the 8mm bolt that holds on the crank and then used the crank puller but instead of the crank coming off, it stripped the threads. So they gave up. So I bought a big 8mm allen wrench and removed the crank bolts (with the help of a friend), removed the pedals, dropped the chain off the smallest chain wheel (granny gear) to let it rest on the BB, removed the chain wheels, removed the bike wheels and then ... take a short length of about 1 1/2 inch galvanized pipe fixed horizontally in a decent sized bench vise, with the vise rotated so that person (a) (me) can hold the bike frame with the crank arm inserted into the pipe, and so that person (b) (the biggest guy you can find) can place a good sturdy punch down into the spindle (through the hole where the crank bolt was), hold the punch steady in a vise grip wrench, and whack it with a large (note, LARGE) hammer! Applying heat with a propane torch as needed. Not sure if the heat helps, but it might make you feel better! One crank (non-drive side) came off easiest. Drive side took a larger hammer and more determination. Eye and ear protection is needed.
In the above exercise, MAKE SURE you do not ruin the spindle threads because you will need them in the next step. Get a punch that is just right. Too big and you will ruin the threads, too small and you will bend the punch. Do not ask me how I know this. Go to Home Depot, buy several punches, and return the ones you do not use.
Now, with the cranks off, the rest is easy and can be done by one person. take the BBT-22 PLUS a metric bolt from Home Depot that has the same EXACT thread as the crank bolt (HD has a tester set up so you can match it yourself, take your crank bolt with you!). I used a 50mm long bolt which was slightly too long, PLUS 2 washers to get the BBT-22 held tightly onto the BB, the bolt goes into the end of the spindle where the crank bolt was. Get a big wrench and presto! Note, one side of my BB has a metal flange, versus the other side has a plastic cup-with-no-flange. You tackle the metal side first, remove it completely and the entire BB comes out. Then to get the plastic cup out, you do not need the bolt anymore. Lightly tap the BBT-22 into the plastic cup as far as it will go and it will turn easily.
Make sure you know which direction to turn, the Park Tools website explains this. On my setup the left side was right-threaded and the right side was left-threaded. Also I used a little spray lubricant here and there.

It worked in both bikes that I tired. It seems to be good quality steel. Can be turned in three different ways: 3/8 ratchet or one of two different size wrenches. Made in USA

No complaints; worked perfectly for tightening my bottom bracket on a Diamondback Wildwood (Shimano sealed cartridge bottom bracket).

I received a vintage mixte for my Birthday and I decided to make some improvements. One of which was a new bottom bracket as the old one crunched, screeched, and groaned as I rode the bike. This tool worked perfectly and made the job a breeze.

This works great for my needs. Pulled my Shimano BB without any trouble whatsoever. Can't speak to any others or the durability beyond a few uses, but this has been great for my needs and It's nice to have one around just in case. Make sure you have a chunky wide mouth wrench for this.

Solid and definitely worthwhile to spend the extra money for the version that fits on a ratchet. I'm sure the wrench-only version is great too, but this one makes it a snap to install/remove Octalink BBs. Need to make sure to keep it held in place, can slip out of the grooves of the BB when trying to start turning, but this isn't a failing of the product, it just doesn't have far to insert and be stable. Overall, great product, easy to use, and way cheaper than having your LBS do it a few times (love my LBS, but simple things you can do yourself!)

I've got several Park Tool products. This one is just as good as the rest. It does what it's supposed to do and does it well. I wish it came with the little bolt to hold it in place, but you can pick them up separately for not a lot of money so it's not a huge deal. I'll knock off a star for it though as it should really be included. Especially at this price point.

Feels like it was made with durable heavy metal. A pluss. Can be use with various tools. The splines of the tool are twice as long as I need to fit in my bottom bracket. Looks like it will last a life time if it doesn't slip of the bb when applying force to it. Keep in mind you have to hold it in place or it will fall off with a chance off ruining the bb splines in your bike. No big deal though. Just hold on to it

Does the job it's described to. May take a little effort to get your BB to budge so definitely use a crescent wrench rather than a socket.