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Do I need the special hope press fit BB tool or do I just drift out the old ones and press in new ones with threaded bar and washer? Any tips much appreciated.
ta
From what I recall when choosing, as well as the threaded rod press function, one end of the tool is also a large hex key to wind (thread) one side into the other. I went Wheels Manufacturing in the end as the cost of the Hope BB + tool was getting on for Chris King money. WM unit went in real nice plus angled cotntact bearing are replaceable. Hope unit may be worthy if you have a history of creaking problems I guess. Could probably knock something up to wind the sides together but it's faff. If you're already installed and doing bearings only, cups would stay put and can drift out bearings only and press in new.
A mate of mine fitted one of these at the weekend so I have a vague memory of it. The cups will press in normally but the threaded sleeve does require a hex fitting to wind it in. And it's big. So unless you have a set of 20mm+ allen keys you're out of luck.
My friends bike ended up at the LBS where they have the correct tool.
I used a truck wheel nut to wind the hex part in.
You only need the hope tool to fit/remove the BB. Yes, you can replace the bearings by drifting them out & pressing in new ones using a threaded bar & washers
I went to the local tool shop and got a large bolt with a hex head the right size - same principle as the truck wheel nut mentioned above.
As mentioned above, you only need the tool to remove and refit the sleeve, once fitted you can drift out and repress bearings without it.
Have replaced bearings with both the tool and also drifting the bearings in, far easier (as you would expect) with the tool!