Bicycle Mechanics - Bottom Bracket

Ok, my BB creaks and Ive read some other threads making it sound like it needs cleaning. I took a look at it today and listened closely and it looks/sounds like there is some dirt and grime in there. Now, how do I clean it? I dont want to screw anything up. Is this something I might be better off just letting my LBS do? Im not, as you say, mechanically inclined but if its just a matter of unscrewing stuff, which I dont think it is reading some other threads, I might try. Any help?

First try this. Take the chain off of the chainring and droop it over the bottom bracket shell. Now you will be able to spin the crank independently of the rear wheel. Do you still feel or hear the grinding noise? If you do, that's bad.

Removing and replacing a crank, depending on what kind it is, requires special tools that I doubt you have. I'd recommend taking it to the LBS.

I dont think the rear wheel is the problem or associated with the problem. Its just when I placed heavier loads on the crank arms, sprinting etc, they creak a little. Can I try just scrapping some dirt out from around them? It looks like there is a little in there.

You can try spraying some penetrating oil on it to see if it stops creaking. Best thing would be to take the bearings out, cleaning them, and retightening the BB. If you don't want to pay a LBS to do the work, you can use the money to buy the tools required to do the job. Just go to the LBS and ask them what you need to take out the BB. They'll be happy to help you. The tools aren't that expensive ...

Something simple to look at first is check that your crank arms are tight. I had the same thing happen to me and I found one of the arms to be loose.