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How to install Shimano Hollowtech II bottom bracket

BikeGremlin US

24,702 views

Installing and replacing Shimano Hollowtech II bottom bracket

See the Hollowtech II spacers video for explanation of "rule of thumb" spacer placement (in this video, we improvised to match a less-than-ideal chainline bicycle):
https://www.bikegremlin.com/1146/holl...

Table Of Contents:
00:00 Introduction - why use vintage frame?
00:42 Determining the bottom bracket standard
03:18 Chainline adjustments
04:49 Unpacking the new bottom bracket cups
06:14 Preparing the threads and spacers
08:36 Inserting the right BB cup
13:07 Inserting the left BB cup
14:40 Tightening the right BB cup
15:07 Optimal torque explained
18:32 Tightening the left BB cup
19:39 Inserting the axle
21:09 Mounting the left crank
23:40 Tightening the left crank
29:46 Removing the BB explained

Useful links -
If you have any questions, please use the BikeGremlin forum (I try to respond to every comment, but YouTube sucks at notifications, especially when it comes to any follow-up questions):
https://www.bikegremlin.net/

Hollowtech II bottom bracket spacers and CHAINLINE explained:
https://www.bikegremlin.com/1146/holl...

Threaded bottom bracket standards explained:
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1634/bic...

Left and right hand(ed) threads explained:
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/3965/rig...

Chainline explained:
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/1755/bic...

Anti-seize (mounting) pastes explained:
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/7172/ant...

Shimano Hollowtech II crank arm cap tool TL-FC16 (Amazon affiliate link):
https://amzn.to/39xg4Uq

List of all the BikeGremlin videos, sorted by categories:
https://www.bikegremlin.com/youtube/

Camera: Gox

id: 1048

20 Comments

@BikeGremlinUS Creator 2 years ago Pinned

If you have any questions, please use the BikeGremlin forum (I try to respond to every comment, but YouTube sucks at notifications, especially when it comes to any follow-up questions):
https://www.bikegremlin.net/

Relja

@BillyHawk-z8z 4 months ago

I just put mine in today and I can feel the difference like that expression says like butter it is smooth like butter way better I should have done it a long time ago

@wahyufebriono8776 3 years ago

thank you! before i watch your video i thought all of spacer should be installed... and the result my crank is unfit LOL

@lebensschueler 5 years ago

Love your bike stand!

@peasgoop 5 years ago

Nice honest video, very informative

@Huntingslife1 3 years ago

Great vid and English was fine!! Thanks I'm doing my bike this weekend!

@cristhianarturosalcedogarc2651 4 years ago

Best video ever to install bottom bracket

@allthingsTechrelated 4 years ago

Brilliant video

@user-cx2bk6pm2f 3 years ago

Very good! Thank you for this information.

@neosandi6 4 years ago

good video , good english , informative..

thenx

@thetruebrit85 2 years ago

Fantastic! Thank you very much indeed..you absolute Legend.🎉❤💪🤗

@amotivbowler6655 1 month ago

With pedals attached, my cartridge bottom bracket spins with less resistance than the hollowtech bottom bracket.

@sertaoexpedicoes 4 years ago

Good job, anti-seize guy! ;-)

@juncacho1405 3 years ago

Can I sir what is the bearing code number of shimano Bb52???

@Tech_That 5 years ago

The best video I have seen on the matter. Thank you very much!

I also have the same BB52 but it needs replacing, noticed lateral play and up and down. I friend might give me a spare XTR BB93 for a good price. I presume it's the best one Shimano does over my model, as in an upgrade?

@libero20 4 years ago

Hi. How do you disassemble the bearings of this bottom bracket? Is there a video that explains it?

@gagiska83 3 years ago

Pratim vas kanal dugo i svaka cast na sadrzaju ima puno toga zanimljivog i mnogo pomaze kod opcije uradi sam kod kuce. 🙃
Imam jedno pitanje u vezi zamene Hollowtech II patrone sa lezajevima.
Za dan dva na drumasu treba da zamenim komplet solje sa lezajevima. Da li kod drumasa ovi spejseri isto idu dva na levu stranu i jedan na stranu pogona?
Jer gledao sam jedan video gde je lik objasnjavao da dva spejsera treba na strani pogona da budu i jedan na suprotnu stranu (levu) od pogona.
I sad mi nista nije jasno.
Samo da se ogradim prvi put sada treba da zamenim nisam mehanicar za bicikle tako da pojma nemam. Zato i pitam 😁
Hvala unapred na odogovoru.
Pozdrav

@salembo 4 years ago

Does it matter which side the spacer goes on? if so how do you know which side? thx.

@dago_0730 4 years ago

Thank you very much Sir. One question, how I can tell I performed a good job? I'm referring to the amount of play you feel while turning the pedals. Mine feel free but I can feel some friction so after a few rotations they stop

@heksogen4788 2 years ago

Isn't it better to clean the client bike before any repairs? Less dirt on your hands and clothes, less chance of dirt getting into threads by mistake.