Bicycle Mechanics - What would make cleats squeak?

My new Speedplay X-5 squeak when I apply alot of pressure to them or when I'm walking. :mad:

Could it be that the screws may not be tight enough - I used a battery powered screwdriver with a low torque setting becasue the owner's manual cautions against over tightening.

Or do Speedplays squeak in general?

Try tightening by hand and see it that helps. If not, try a little bit of lubricant.

I'd do both: remove the fasteners, clean 'em with a rag, put a dab of grease on 'em (on the threads and on the underside of the 'cap'), then re-tighten 'em by hand.

I'd do both: remove the fasteners, clean 'em with a rag, put a dab of grease on 'em (on the threads and on the underside of the 'cap'), then re-tighten 'em by hand.



the 'cap'

What is that??? :( :)

Might not even be the cleats. I got noise from mine that turned out to be the unused SPD connectors inside the soles of the shoes moving around.

I'd do both: remove the fasteners, clean 'em with a rag, put a dab of grease on 'em (on the threads and on the underside of the 'cap'), then re-tighten 'em by hand.

Referring to the "cap," mooncake wrote


What is that??? :( :)

Sorry. I should have done a better job of explaining it. Take a look at the attached picture. You have the threaded part, then you have the fatter part that you put the hex wrench into. That fatter part is what I'm calling the "cap."

When you grease a fastener before inserting and tightening it, you should grease the threads and the underside of the 'cap.'

Does that make it clearer?

Others are right, by the way: it may or may not be your cleats. Squeaks are tough to isolate. You have to start somewhere, though....