BB - do not disassemble

hey guys so i got my new rf diabolus cranks and i'm in the process of installing them onto my 2005 norco sasquatch.

question - what's up with the "DO NOT DISASSEMBLE" label?

aren't the cartridge bearings replaceable, or do i have to get a new bb once they are through?

it seems my existing bb also has the "DO NOT DISASSEMBLE" label but i've had just the cartridge bearings replaced before numerous times…

btw i got the orange gasket too for the existing bb but it's not in the pic.

sorry for the n00b questions and thanks in advance for the answers ;)

or should i just not bother with replacing the bb and pop out the new bb bearings and put them in the old shell? (if this is even possible)

Your question is extremely confusing but here are your 3 options:

If old bearings are still good: Install new cranks in old BB

If old bearings are good but you just want a shiny new BB: Remove old cups and install the whole new shebang.

If old bearings are bad: Remove the old cups (gold) and install new ones

sorry about the shitty wording.

my old bearings are bad. but aren't bb bearings independent of the bb cups? so don't i have 2 options:

1. replace bearings only
2. replace cups (which is the entire bb right?)

You can replace just the bearings if you would like and feel confident doing so. Shops can also do this for you as well however it usually ends up costing as much with labor to get it done as it does to get it replaced.

Does that help?

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=497220

YEAAA

sorry about the shitty wording.

my old bearings are bad. but aren't bb bearings independent of the bb cups? so don't i have 2 options:

1. replace bearings only
2. replace cups (which is the entire bb right?)

Neither Shimano or Race Face sell just the bearings. You have to buy a new BB from them.

You can, however, buy just the bearings online from Enduro. There is also a special tool to remove and reinstall bearings into the cups. The bearings are cheap (unless you get the ceramic versions). The tool is pretty expensive so unless you are replacing several BB's a year, it probably isn't worth it.

external bb's are cheap. Not worth the hassle to rebuild it unless its a Chris King or something like that.
Iam not sure waht BB you current;y have on the bike, but remember it is best to -put the matching BB with the crankset… Truvativ/ Race Face do not work together, vise versa.
just replace it all and be done with it.

Shimano replacement BB's are not cheap, $85-90 at full retail price. Raceface units are cheaper, in the $60 range, but I am still not convinced that they are sealed as well as Shimano units. For $50, you can get a set of Enduro bearings pressed in at the LBS, which are arguably better than both Shimano and Raceface's offerings.

I've replaced bearings when it said not to on the label. My philosophy is, if it went together it can come apart.

lolz

Lou at obession replaced my bearings in my shimano bb with enduro bearings. It is cheaper than replacing the whole bb

He is the man with the tools

Despite what is printed on the cups, the bearings are replaceable but you need a proper tool for that. You probably could remove and replace bearings with a hammer and punch, but the proper tool is quick easy and won't damage bearings or cups. I have the tool as Enduro was selling bearings with a tool for a good deal a few uyears back. That black cup in the photo looks like an enduro bearing and orange seal is what they come with.

thanks crawler for the awesome link!

oldfart, mike, wayne - where is the best place to get the bearings? and are they all the same?

Bearings are not all the same. I stuck with enduro bearings, purchased them from Lou (Obession) and had him install it. As old Fart mentioned, you need a special bearing tool for bb to remove and install the bearing