Bottom Bracket Advice

I need help! I have a raleigh frame with this bottom bracket. Im looking to buy a new bottom bracket to give the frame some new life but I have no idea what bottom bracket is compatible.

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And another question, how do I get the BB out? Do I need a tool as I can't find a tutorial online

Is there a brand name on the BB? Would help but never touched those one, look like a Hope or something like that. You probably need a tool with that style:

Once you get it out, you probably will get the exact size + thread info on the BB itself to buy a replacement. You need to know if it is BSA (most probable) and which wide 109mm for example. Check which type of square is it (ISO for example) and then you are ready to order the right replacement.

Park tools hcw 4 or maybe pin spanner will do it.
Check mechanics website links at top of forum or jfgi 'cup cone bottom bracket'

Edit Other side might need hcw 11 but I dont know.

It looks like an old Tange loose-ball BB to me (http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp328/velosniper/56de_1.jpg), with the lockring already removed. So if you want to DIY, a pin spanner would be my suggestion too (with Park tools HCW4 on the other side, if I'm right - or a big adjustable wrench and a bit of grunt!).

The good news is the 1.37 x 24T markings mean this is a standard BSA/English threading - meaning loads of choice if you want a new one.

You could always save yourself a few bob and just regrease and repack the old BB, if the bearings, cages and races look in good nick - and you have the lockring too. Check it is compatible with whichever chainset you want to use. But it may be easier in the long-run to go for a sealed cartridge BB.

It might be easier to get LBS to remove/replace with a new BB (if you have a good one, they will probably figure out spindle length, taper type, etc. to match your cranks).

If you fit one yourself, make sure you give the threads a good clean and maybe use the old cups to chase these (once cleaned, screw them in and out a few times, then clean the threads again - or a LBS should do it if you get them to fit a new BB - but ask them anyway.

Sorry if you know all of this and it sounds patronising or if I've missed out anything obvious. Otherwise, good luck with the new ride!

not patronising at all, you helped me a lot! Ive measured the spindle width and its a 145mm but could i replace it with a short spindle aslong as it clears the chain stays? would something like this be suitable? http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-un55-square-taper-bottom-bracket/rp-prod71369

UN55s are good-value, reliable units IMO.

Watch out with your spindle width comparison between your exisiting BB and the UN55 (and others cartridge-type units).

If you want an equivalent BB spindle, remember to take off the length for the threaded pieces on the end of your existing spindle, as BBs like the the UN55 have bolts that thread into the end of the spindle. But your existing spindle has the bolt parts on the ends and requires nuts to secure the cranks, not bolts like the new units.

I'm not sure I've described this correctly or clearly, but hopefully you get the gist!

Your choice of BB spindle length will also depend on how you want to set up your rear wheel (6/7/8/9 -speed cassette, single sprocket, s-s freewheel, s-s conversion kit, etc.), as the chainline to the rear will have a width requirement too.

Google chainline + bottom bracket and you will see what I mean! There will be a thread on here somewhere too (I will get told to UTFS by someone now, I'm sure...).

Oh and one more thing - check the width of the BB shell in the frame. It should be ca. 68mm to take a UN55 or equivalent.