manvell
What's the best remedy for a creaking bottom bracket? It creaks when standing on it while going up hills. Should I try to put some teflon tape on the threads?Thanks for any help.
creaking BB
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Insight Driver
What's the best remedy for a creaking bottom bracket? It creaks when standing on it while going up hills. Should I try to put some teflon tape on the threads?Thanks for any help.
NO
What may be the safest solution is to take your bike to a good bike shop (good defined as one where there is a good, honest mechanic). Tell them you, "think," it is the bottom bracket. I know more than one person was chagrined when the creak actually was diagnosed and came from the pedal. That said, to fix a bottom bracket creak is to make sure it is properly torqued tight. All cranks will loosen a bit with use and will require being tightened once or twice before it stays tight. Teflon tape would be dangerous as it could reduce the friction of the threads (which helps keep them from loosening). What is good for plumbing can be very bad for a machine such as a bicycle.
The reason I reccommend a good bike shop is that it is not hard to overtighten a bottom bracket and if you do, you broke it. It won't be noticed right away. You will have damaged it in such a way that it will never properly tighten again and will eventually get looser and looser as it wears. You will then be resigned to either getting it fixed by getting a new bottom bracket and crankset or by chucking the bike and buying a new one.
Many times I've seen used bike with such damage. I swear some people shouldn't touch a wrench.
NO
What may be the safest solution is to take your bike to a good bike shop (good defined as one where there is a good, honest mechanic). Tell them you, "think," it is the bottom bracket. I know more than one person was chagrined when the creak actually was diagnosed and came from the pedal. That said, to fix a bottom bracket creak is to make sure it is properly torqued tight. All cranks will loosen a bit with use and will require being tightened once or twice before it stays tight. Teflon tape would be dangerous as it could reduce the friction of the threads (which helps keep them from loosening). What is good for plumbing can be very bad for a machine such as a bicycle.
The reason I reccommend a good bike shop is that it is not hard to overtighten a bottom bracket and if you do, you broke it. It won't be noticed right away. You will have damaged it in such a way that it will never properly tighten again and will eventually get looser and looser as it wears. You will then be resigned to either getting it fixed by getting a new bottom bracket and crankset or by chucking the bike and buying a new one.
Many times I've seen used bike with such damage. I swear some people shouldn't touch a wrench.
50mph
Your BB needs to be greased, i suggest letting your lbs do it.
Doctor Morbius
What's the best remedy for a creaking bottom bracket? It creaks when standing on it while going up hills. Should I try to put some teflon tape on the threads?Thanks for any help.If you've already taken it out, degreased everything, regreased and torqued it back on properly AND
1) didn't see a ton of metal shavings and
2) it still creaks
Then you can use some teflon tape. It won't hurt. Just a dab will do ya. No need to wrap several times.
Since it's hard to localize creaking sounds, especially while standing on the pedals going up hills, are you sure it's the BB? It could be the cranks. May want to check them too if you haven't.
1) didn't see a ton of metal shavings and
2) it still creaks
Then you can use some teflon tape. It won't hurt. Just a dab will do ya. No need to wrap several times.
Since it's hard to localize creaking sounds, especially while standing on the pedals going up hills, are you sure it's the BB? It could be the cranks. May want to check them too if you haven't.
JohnO
FWIW: I've had creaking sounds twice in the last two years. Both times, it was solved by properly torquing the crank arms. Two years ago, when I put the bike together, it took a month of riding and four tightenings to quiet it down.
This spring, when my riding buddies got me to start tackling some serious hills, the creaking started up again. Two retorquings quieted it back down.
This spring, when my riding buddies got me to start tackling some serious hills, the creaking started up again. Two retorquings quieted it back down.
litespeedguy
I can only pass on my own experience locating and eliminating creaks - I have a Ti bike with a Campy drivetrain - the headset is an internal Cane Creek - I mention these details because many creaks are probably related to the interaction of specific components.
Some time ago I heard a majot creak when pedaling hard uphill - sounded like the BB - turned out to be the internal CC headset - bearings weren't seated in the cups properly - in my case the original equipment cups were defective and new cups solved the problem.
With Campy record and chorus BB's there are "press fit" cups on each side of the sealed bearing body - sometimes these cups aren't snug enough on the bearing and you'll hear creaks - even when pushing down on the pedal with the bike standing still in front of you - take the cups off and spread a small amount of Loctite 660 on each surface of the press fit , i.e. the bearing body & on the inside rim of each cup. Also, I use Ti prep on the threads that hold the BB secure in the frame shell.
Of course the cranks need to be torqued correctly as well as all chainring bolts.
Cleats and pedals can cause creaks .
Sometimes moisture can get inside the BB and cause creaks ; strip things down and dry everything with a rag.
The spot where the shifter cables meet the braze-ons can cause a creak when you turn the bar.
For me the 2 major spots for creaking were the headset and the BB.
Some time ago I heard a majot creak when pedaling hard uphill - sounded like the BB - turned out to be the internal CC headset - bearings weren't seated in the cups properly - in my case the original equipment cups were defective and new cups solved the problem.
With Campy record and chorus BB's there are "press fit" cups on each side of the sealed bearing body - sometimes these cups aren't snug enough on the bearing and you'll hear creaks - even when pushing down on the pedal with the bike standing still in front of you - take the cups off and spread a small amount of Loctite 660 on each surface of the press fit , i.e. the bearing body & on the inside rim of each cup. Also, I use Ti prep on the threads that hold the BB secure in the frame shell.
Of course the cranks need to be torqued correctly as well as all chainring bolts.
Cleats and pedals can cause creaks .
Sometimes moisture can get inside the BB and cause creaks ; strip things down and dry everything with a rag.
The spot where the shifter cables meet the braze-ons can cause a creak when you turn the bar.
For me the 2 major spots for creaking were the headset and the BB.
chch_legend
That sounds exactly what I dealt with a few months ago, took it to LBS, they greased and tightened things and I went away thinking it was sorted.
Next ride the noise is back, but it gets louder, so back to the LBS where they take the bike apart and grease/lube everything...still no joy.
Finally that a look at the frame and I had hairline cracks inside the frame (not visable from the outside) at the base of the frame, the frame company in question replaced the frame immediately.
So from my experience don't mess round with it, as it could be a lot worse than you think. Thats my experience anyway for what it's worth.
Next ride the noise is back, but it gets louder, so back to the LBS where they take the bike apart and grease/lube everything...still no joy.
Finally that a look at the frame and I had hairline cracks inside the frame (not visable from the outside) at the base of the frame, the frame company in question replaced the frame immediately.
So from my experience don't mess round with it, as it could be a lot worse than you think. Thats my experience anyway for what it's worth.
Rudy
That sounds exactly what I dealt with a few months ago, took it to LBS, they greased and tightened things and I went away thinking it was sorted.
Next ride the noise is back, but it gets louder, so back to the LBS where they take the bike apart and grease/lube everything...still no joy.
Finally that a look at the frame and I had hairline cracks inside the frame (not visable from the outside) at the base of the frame, the frame company in question replaced the frame immediately.
So from my experience don't mess round with it, as it could be a lot worse than you think. Thats my experience anyway for what it's worth.
How were you able to detect the cracks if it wasn't visible from the outside? at the BB?
Next ride the noise is back, but it gets louder, so back to the LBS where they take the bike apart and grease/lube everything...still no joy.
Finally that a look at the frame and I had hairline cracks inside the frame (not visable from the outside) at the base of the frame, the frame company in question replaced the frame immediately.
So from my experience don't mess round with it, as it could be a lot worse than you think. Thats my experience anyway for what it's worth.
How were you able to detect the cracks if it wasn't visible from the outside? at the BB?
manvell
Well I have re-installed the bottom bracket with teflon tape and torqued it to 350 IN/LB., and the octalink crank arms got torqued to 300 IN/LB. My drive side pedal is a little stiff so I am going to rebuild it. That may be the culprit, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to disassemble and re-toque every thing.While I'm at it I might drop the fork and check out the headset. So far every thing;except the pedals; has looked good. The pedals are old, but the bike only has 1800 miles on it and the crankset only has about 500. I'll see how it works tonight.
StartTday
All of the above suggestions are really good. Its exactly what I would go through to find the problem.
I actually thought I had a creaking BB until I put it up on the stand and couldnt isolate the problem. I then out of frustration took my pedals and completely took them apart. Turns out there was alot of grime and metal shavings within the spindle. I cleaned, regreased, and threw it back together. Problem solved.
I actually thought I had a creaking BB until I put it up on the stand and couldnt isolate the problem. I then out of frustration took my pedals and completely took them apart. Turns out there was alot of grime and metal shavings within the spindle. I cleaned, regreased, and threw it back together. Problem solved.
Rudy
All of the above suggestions are really good. Its exactly what I would go through to find the problem.
I actually thought I had a creaking BB until I put it up on the stand and couldnt isolate the problem. I then out of frustration took my pedals and completely took them apart. Turns out there was alot of grime and metal shavings within the spindle. I cleaned, regreased, and threw it back together. Problem solved.
Question. If the pedals ar the culprit, would riding the bike without your bike shoes be able to tell? I assume when they're clipped in, they make the noise?
That would save you from having to dismantle the pedals...I'm asking because I have similar problem with one of my bike...and all else failed 'll take it to LBS.
I actually thought I had a creaking BB until I put it up on the stand and couldnt isolate the problem. I then out of frustration took my pedals and completely took them apart. Turns out there was alot of grime and metal shavings within the spindle. I cleaned, regreased, and threw it back together. Problem solved.
Question. If the pedals ar the culprit, would riding the bike without your bike shoes be able to tell? I assume when they're clipped in, they make the noise?
That would save you from having to dismantle the pedals...I'm asking because I have similar problem with one of my bike...and all else failed 'll take it to LBS.
jmurray89
my BB creaked and popped, turned out the BB shell was loose, so it gave me a good reason to get a whole new bike......
Rudy
my BB creaked and popped, turned out the BB shell was loose, so it gave me a good reason to get a whole new bike......
hehe :p :D
hehe :p :D
StartTday
Question. If the pedals ar the culprit, would riding the bike without your bike shoes be able to tell? I assume when they're clipped in, they make the noise?
That would save you from having to dismantle the pedals...I'm asking because I have similar problem with one of my bike...and all else failed 'll take it to LBS.
Yes thats what I would do. But get into a high gear and pedal slowly at a slowly speed putting alot of torque on the side of the crank you think the sound is coming from. Put more weight onto, lets say the right pedal, if thats where you believe the sound is coming from. As you rotate around slowly you should might be able to feel, but definately hear which pedal the sound is coming from.
Hope this helps.
That would save you from having to dismantle the pedals...I'm asking because I have similar problem with one of my bike...and all else failed 'll take it to LBS.
Yes thats what I would do. But get into a high gear and pedal slowly at a slowly speed putting alot of torque on the side of the crank you think the sound is coming from. Put more weight onto, lets say the right pedal, if thats where you believe the sound is coming from. As you rotate around slowly you should might be able to feel, but definately hear which pedal the sound is coming from.
Hope this helps.
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