How to change your external bottom bracket cups?
Change your Road or MTB external bottom bracket cups is not difficult and requires only one specific tool: a bottom bracket spanner.
Typical tools: 5mm Hex Wrench / Bottom Bracket spanner / Mallet / Grease
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 1](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes1.jpg)
Step 1
Loosen the two left crank pinch bolts and remove arm cap.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 2](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes2.jpg)
Step 2
Lift the stop plate upwards with a screwdriver.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 3](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes3.jpg)
Step 3
Pull off left arm.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 4](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes4.jpg)
Step 4
Remove the chain from the chainring. Pull crankset to right to remove right arm. It's sometimes necessary to gently tap with mallet.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 5](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes5.jpg)
Step 5
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 6](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes6.jpg)
Step 6
Unthread left side cup (Non-drive side) counterclockwise.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 7](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes7.jpg)
Step 7
Unthread right side cup (drive side) clockwise.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 8](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes8.jpg)
Step 8
Get the grime out and grease thread.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 9](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes9.jpg)
Step 9
Install correct spacers as needed (68mm bottom bracket shell: 1 spacer on left side, 1spacer on right side. 73mm bottom bracket shell: 1 spacer only on right side).
Thread new cups clockwise into left side and counterclockwise into right side.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 10](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes10.jpg)
Step 10
Grease spindle surface and press right crank through right side.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 11](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes11.jpg)
Step 11
Place left arm on to spindle.
![Changer ses roulements de pédaliers externes : étape 12](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes12.jpg)
Step 12
Grease thread of arm cap and thread into spindle.
![](https://media-cdn.alltricks.com/mktg/webdesign/_images/changeroulementspedalierexternes13.jpg)
Step 13
Lift the stop plate downwards and tighten the two left crank pinch bolts.