It makes a click when I level the pedals (either way) and put weight on them. I can feel the click through my feet, and it ranges from a barely audible click to a loud pop. I took it to a guy in my dorm, who said I may have cracked the cups in the bottom bracket or damaged the spindle. The local bike shop suggested that I grease my handlebars (grease my handlebars?). I pulled the cranks, and there is some evidence that the aluminum on the cranks is smashed because I overtightened them, but the spindle and the mating octalink on the cranks shows visible wear.
I don't know how to find out if I have cracked cups or not, or how to diagnose spindle wear. Anyone have a similar experience or some advice? I have Cannondale cranks and a Shimano 105 bottom bracket.
Lastly, will leaving this problem as I ride and race damage the frame at all?
Take off you saddle and seatpost and pour sewing machine oil into the bottombracket. Let the bike "rest" for some hours w. the oil before you drain it off, either by the unswrewing the left side of the BB or by unscrewing the screws for the cable guide on the bottom of the BB (if the thread goes all the way through the wall of the BB). This way the tube ends in the BB will stop grinding against each other.
Take off you saddle and seatpost and pour sewing machine oil into the bottombracket. Let the bike "rest" for some hours w. the oil before you drain it off, either by the unswrewing the left side of the BB or by unscrewing the screws for the cable guide on the bottom of the BB (if the thread goes all the way through the wall of the BB). This way the tube ends in the BB will stop grinding against each other.
Originally posted by Karlo My bottom bracket clicks.
It makes a click when I level the pedals (either way) and put weight on them. I can feel the click through my feet, and it ranges from a barely audible click to a loud pop. I took it to a guy in my dorm, who said I may have cracked the cups in the bottom bracket or damaged the spindle. The local bike shop suggested that I grease my handlebars (grease my handlebars?). I pulled the cranks, and there is some evidence that the aluminum on the cranks is smashed because I overtightened them, but the spindle and the mating octalink on the cranks shows visible wear.
I don't know how to find out if I have cracked cups or not, or how to diagnose spindle wear. Anyone have a similar experience or some advice? I have Cannondale cranks and a Shimano 105 bottom bracket.
Lastly, will leaving this problem as I ride and race damage the frame at all?
BB clicks come from everywhere. I've had them in the stem and handlebar,and at the front fork dropout/ hub interface. since you can aactually feel it in the cranks,that's a good bet. The BB could be hosed, or or the crank to spindle interface could be hosed(happens alot when hamfisted people install them).. Cracked octalink cups aren't likely. If you want to check the cups/BB you have to use the right tool to pull it. You need to take it to a shop that is not populated by morons. Frame damage is not likely. More damage to the cranks could happen,but it won't matter if they are hosed already.
Originally posted by Karlo My bottom bracket clicks.
It makes a click when I level the pedals (either way) and put weight on them. I can feel the click through my feet, and it ranges from a barely audible click to a loud pop. I took it to a guy in my dorm, who said I may have cracked the cups in the bottom bracket or damaged the spindle. The local bike shop suggested that I grease my handlebars (grease my handlebars?). I pulled the cranks, and there is some evidence that the aluminum on the cranks is smashed because I overtightened them, but the spindle and the mating octalink on the cranks shows visible wear.
I don't know how to find out if I have cracked cups or not, or how to diagnose spindle wear. Anyone have a similar experience or some advice? I have Cannondale cranks and a Shimano 105 bottom bracket.
Lastly, will leaving this problem as I ride and race damage the frame at all?
Some Cannodale cranks are made as multiple parts that are "glued" together. Your crank arms may be seperated sufficiently to be making noise as the pieces rub under pressure. You can eliminate this source by temporarily mounting other cranks. Bottom Brackets have a few places that make noise. Check the following sites: http://www.chainreaction.com/noises.htm [URL=http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/creaking_and_squeaking.shtml]
Originally posted by daveornee Some Cannodale cranks are made as multiple parts that are "glued" together. Your crank arms may be seperated sufficiently to be making noise as the pieces rub under pressure. You can eliminate this source by temporarily mounting other cranks.
Sounds good. I think you are right about the octalink-crank interface being "hosed." Admittedly I was a little agressive tightening them. I did take the bottom bracket out today and cleaned everything. That seemed to help, but the problem still exists in a reduced form. The bike still does ride. Thanks for all the help.
Originally posted by Karlo Sounds good. I think you are right about the octalink-crank interface being "hosed." Admittedly I was a little agressive tightening them. I did take the bottom bracket out today and cleaned everything. That seemed to help, but the problem still exists in a reduced form. The bike still does ride. Thanks for all the help.
Sometimes teflon plumbers tape and grease on the BB threads can help,if that is where the problem really is.
