Shimano Hollowtech II crankset disassembly

With a few tools and the right gestures, disassembling a Shimano crankset is an accessible operation!

The tools

To disassemble your Shimano Hollowtech II crankset, you will need a 5 mm Allen wrench, the compression tool and a flat screwdriver.

Pictures © Frédéric Iehl

A 5 mm Allen key for unscrewing
The tool to remove the compression cap.
The flat screwdriver for the crankset lock.

Time and difficulty

You will perform the handling in 5 minutes, excluding cleaning the parts of course. The operation is quite easy to carry out and requires only rigor!

Stage 1

Shimano Hollowtech II crankset disassembly

We start by loosening the « external » screw. We do it « for free ».

Stage 2

We do the same with the « internal » screw.

Stage 3

The compression cap is then unscrewed with the dedicated tool. It is completely removed.

The use of this tool is imperative. The compression cap can be damaged if a metal or unsuitable tool is used such as a screwdriver, a pin flush or other…

Stage 4

Using the flat screwdriver, the plastic steel that locks the crankset in the axis is lifted.

The plastic ergot does not replace the two clamping screws in any way. But it provides some security in the event of unscrewing. The crank will not escape brutally. It is therefore necessary to think about lifting it during disassembly. Otherwise, we will not be able to remove the left crank easily. And if we force it, we risk damaging it permanently.

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Stage 5

The left crank is then removed.

Stage 6

The right crank comes out naturally without effort. If we removed the chain from the chainring…

Disassembling your crankset is a quick option to make it easier for you to replace your chainrings. You will not risk damaging your frame with the keys by unscrewing the bolts. It is also imperative to replace its bearings. So don’t hesitate to do it.

Mechanical summary