Shimano Octalink BB problem.

[Bigbananabike]

I've just noticed my 9 speed Octalink BB is loose
I've done about 20 k kms with it after getting it secondhand.
Are the bearings worn?
Could they be replaced or should I get a replacement BB?

 

[artemidorus]

Octalink is prone to loosening of the crank bolts, so they're the first thing to check. Mine got quite loose, but were able to be retightened without apparent damage.

 

[kdelong]

Octalink is prone to loosening of the crank bolts, so they're the first thing to check. Mine got quite loose, but were able to be retightened without apparent damage.

+1. If it turns out to be bearings, I beleive that you will need to buy a new BB unless you are extremely handy, have a bearing press and a shop oven.

 

[Bigbananabike]

I checked those although I was pretty sure it wasn't them as both crank arms move.
So - replacement BB then?

Octalink is prone to loosening of the crank bolts, so they're the first thing to check. Mine got quite loose, but were able to be retightened without apparent damage.

 

[Bigbananabike]

Looks like you're right...as I had thought too.

+1. If it turns out to be bearings, I beleive that you will need to buy a new BB unless you are extremely handy, have a bearing press and a shop oven.

 

[artemidorus]

If it wasn't the crank arm bolts, have you checked that a cup hasn't loosened?

 

[Bigbananabike]

Good thought Checked both cups. No

If it wasn't the crank arm bolts, have you checked that a cup hasn't loosened?

 

[artemidorus]

Does the axle have play, or is it simply rough? Replace with Ultegra, DA is an open system requiring regreasing after every wet ride, apparently.

 

[Bigbananabike]

Its got play - no roughness.
Ultegra.
Who on earth could be bothered regreasing the BB after a wet ride?! (rhetorical q)

I'll take it to my LBS on Thursday with another secondhand Ultegra BB I have for the changeover.

Does the axle have play, or is it simply rough? Replace with Ultegra, DA is an open system requiring regreasing after every wet ride, apparently.

 

[artemidorus]

Its got play - no roughness.
Ultegra.
Who on earth could be bothered regreasing the BB after a wet ride?! (rhetorical q)

I'll take it to my LBS on Thursday with another secondhand Ultegra BB I have for the changeover.

I've never had a worn BB develop play - make sure that the crank sockets are not damaged.

 

[Bigbananabike]

Thanks for the replies.
The play in it seems strange to me too. The cranks have been on the bike / BB for about 20k kms (as long as I've had the bike built up) and are still tight on the BB.
I've never had a BB wear out so didn't know what to expect.

I've never had a worn BB develop play - make sure that the crank sockets are not damaged.

 

[mikeg]

I've just noticed my 9 speed Octalink BB is loose
I've done about 20 k kms with it after getting it secondhand.
Are the bearings worn?
Could they be replaced or should I get a replacement BB?

Make sure you are not mixing Octalink V1 & V2 versions.

See

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_n-o.html#octalink

and

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html#shimano

A V2 crankset (eg. Tiagra octalink) will fit on a V1 Bottom Bracket (eg. 105 or Ultegra) but will have play in it.

Mike

 

[Peter@vecchios]

Make sure you are not mixing Octalink V1 & V2 versions.

See

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_n-o.html#octalink

and

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html#shimano

A V2 crankset (eg. Tiagra octalink) will fit on a V1 Bottom Bracket (eg. 105 or Ultegra) but will have play in it.

And should not be mixed. I'm sure you meant this but to ensure somebody doesn't think they are somehow compatible.

 

[mikeg]

Make sure you are not mixing Octalink V1 & V2 versions.

See

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_n-o.html#octalink

and

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html#shimano

A V2 crankset (eg. Tiagra octalink) will fit on a V1 Bottom Bracket (eg. 105 or Ultegra) but will have play in it.

And should not be mixed. I'm sure you meant this but to ensure somebody doesn't think they are somehow compatible.

Yes I did mean that they should not be mixed, by saying that it would have play in the crank to bottom bracket interface. It was done to me by a not so LBS I bought the bike from, for a warranty replacement of the specialised brand crank when the arm to crank webbing cracked. They fitted a V2 Tiagra crankset to the 105 V1 BB. The amount of play this mismatch produced made it very difficult to ride. The mechanics at the bike shop should have known better.

 

[Bigbananabike]

I've done about 20k kms on it before the play started so I hardly think that the cranks/BB are incompatible and it was me who put the two together & I like to think I know something of what I'm doing re bikes.

Make sure you are not mixing Octalink V1 & V2 versions.

See

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_n-o.html#octalink

and

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bbsize.html#shimano

A V2 crankset (eg. Tiagra octalink) will fit on a V1 Bottom Bracket (eg. 105 or Ultegra) but will have play in it.

Mike

 

[mikeg]

I've done about 20k kms on it before the play started so I hardly think that the cranks/BB are incompatible and it was me who put the two together & I like to think I know something of what I'm doing re bikes.

Which model and year bottom bracket and cranks are they?