Bicycle Mechanics - Bottom Bracket Lockring won't tighten

Hi folks

I'm installing a 68 mm shimano square taper bb in a frame i'm building up. I can't get the lockring to tighten fully, and I've tried a lot of torque. If I screw in the drive side only partially, the lockring will tighten just fine, but the drive side won't go in all the way. If i screw in the drive side completely, the lockring will not tighten completely (leaving a thread exposed). From my limited understanding of shells, I don't think retapping is the answer, since both sides will tighten up just fine. I'm wondering - is this common, is this safe, and is there something I'm missing completely.

BTW, bike is an urbanite tourer, 68 mm shell, one year old.

Sounds like you're doing it right; driveside in part way, seat non driveside ring, then complete the driveside. Make sure you have a fair amount of grease on the threads. If it's a 68mm shell and 68mm BB it should fit. The other thing to check is that sometimes the screw holding the cable guide to the bottom of the shell is a tad long and hangs up the cartridge. If it's just one thread showing you could toss in a spacer (non driveside).

Make sure you have a fair amount of grease on the threads. .

I thought that medium strength loctite was the thing to use on the threads, NOT grease.

I thought that medium strength loctite was the thing to use on the threads, NOT grease.

Seems like you can use about anything. I used teflon tape recently and finally stopped a BB creak that had been driving me nuts for months. :rolleyes:

thanks for all the help. i did use a goodly amount of grease, cleaned the shell and threads, and removed the cable guide screw. i think it's okay (the driveside is well-torqued and snug), so as long as there are no serious concerns, i'll brave the unknown ;)