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Creaking from cranks/BB area

1173 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by mtn_goat, Jul 3, 2006

noz

Discussion Starter · Jun 29, 2006 (Edited)

Recently I started hearing creaking sounds from my cranks/BB area when I pedal. It seems it could be coming from both sides, but it is definitely easier to produce/more distinctive when applying pressure on the right side. Bike is last year's Brodie Omega, cranks are Acera (FC-M340), BB is a UN25.

So far I have removed both cranks, greased the bolts and spindles and put them back on as tight as I could (no torque wrench available). Still getting the same sound.

Right now the right side crank/chainring assembly is sitting in pieces. Anything in particular I should clean/grease before putting it back together? Could the sound be coming from somewhere else (pedals)? Could the BB be shot?

Thanks.

edit: forgot to mention that the pedals are "VP-511 Alloy Flats", which appear to be your average no name loose bearing flats.

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fred3

· #2 · Jun 29, 2006

Well you've greased two possible culprits and it could be the bb, but I'd only suggest that if it'd been submerged for any time. You can always remove it and lube/pipetape the threads. Another, less obvious culprit, would be the seatpost. It will often creak at about the same rate at the cranks due to body movement and I'd grease that before I'd remove the bb. Luck.

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noz

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 29, 2006

Seatpost is already eliminated, I've removed it and I still got creaks. As for BB, it has not been submerged (AFAIK), however it could be possible possible that some water got in I guess, even though I have always tried to stay as far wawy from it as possible with the garden hose... I guess I'll try removing it and greasing the threads if I still get creaking after greasing the charing assembly...

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westin

· #4 · Jul 1, 2006

noz said:
Seatpost is already eliminated, I've removed it and I still got creaks. As for BB, it has not been submerged (AFAIK), however it could be possible possible that some water got in I guess, even though I have always tried to stay as far wawy from it as possible with the garden hose... I guess I'll try removing it and greasing the threads if I still get creaking after greasing the charing assembly...

shoe cleats and pedals....greased and tightened?

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noz

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 1, 2006

Running flats and and old pair of Vans

I think I just found the culprit. I was putting averything back together, greasing everything that could potentially cause creaking, and as I was screwing in this chainring bolt, it started making this awful creaking sound that screamed "splitting metal", so I tried unscrewing it and the bolt head separated itself from the rest of the bolt. Since all stores are closed today (Canada day), I'll have to wait a bit before buying a new bolt.

Out of curiosity, are those bolts really fragile, or am I just unlucky? Seeing as I wasn't screwing it in that hard...

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mtn_goat

· #6 · Jul 3, 2006

I had the same problem, same solution,
Get all new chainring bolt/nuts, if one was cracked, the others may also be.
Get a torque wrench, these are priceless, especially on those bolts/nuts, since they are small aluminum and the torque range is relatively low compared to other bolts.

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