Bicycle Mechanics - Bottom bracket creak/overtightening

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techieelectric
12-14-09, 06:40 AM
This is my first post on here so hopefully I won't make too many stupid mistakes.

I recently bought a very old Spanish Zeus racer in a fairly poor state and have been trying to fix it up a bit. The crankset and bottom bracket are both Solida, and the bottom bracket is square-tapered. One problem I have is a bottom bracket creak/ clicking noise which has been annoying me for a while. I've regreased and re-adjusted the bottom bracket twice now but each time the creak has come back after about a week or so of light riding. I'm quite certain it isn't because the bottom bracket is loose.

My lock-ring tool doesn't fit the lock ring exactly and so I can't completely tighten the lock-ring although I don't know how important that is, I suspect the bottom bracket could tighten as I ride and that's causing the noise. Another thing is that I was riding in the rain recently enough and the noise stopped and only came back when the bike dried, I suppose that could be the water deadening the sound although it seemed strange. It also could be because some of the components are too old although the bearings and the bearing surfaces seem fine.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Daniel


HillRider
12-14-09, 07:27 AM
Have you checked the pedals? They are often the source of "bottom bracket" noise. Also, are the chainring bolts tight?

techieelectric
12-14-09, 07:41 AM
Thanks for those. It's a five speed so it's not the crank hitting the derailleur, and it's not the pedals being loose. How would it's not the pedal bearings etc. without buying a new set or pedals?


ryanwood
12-14-09, 07:59 AM
I just got over a case of the creaks, and as it turns out I had a laundry list of creaks. It started with pedals, I repacked the bearings and they quieted down. As soon as that noise was gone I was able to hear the creaking coming from a loose chain ring, I pulled the bolts, greased them, and reinstalled and that solved my issue. Next was the non-drive-side cup for my cartridge bb, it should have been equipped with a plastic cup, but someone used a metal one which was causing some intermittent creaking. A quick change out to plastic and I am now as quiet as a ghost rolling down the road.

The point of all this rambling is there are many things that cause creaking and the bb is generally at the bottom of the list.

ValVal
12-14-09, 07:59 AM
Thanks for those. It's a five speed so it's not the crank hitting the derailleur, and it's not the pedals being loose. How would it's not the pedal bearings etc. without buying a new set or pedals?

Try to make you BB creak while applying force on the crank and not on the pedal. If it does, then it's not the pedal...

longbeachgary
02-24-10, 08:07 PM
Just a quick question. I have a crank similar to the one pictured (mine is a double). It's creaking a bit on the left side. I want to take the crank off and grease it. There is a hex bolt that I have a wrench for but will that get the crank off? Please walk me through it if you can....

http://home.comcast.net/~joelw135/Ultegra_Crank.jpg

operator
02-24-10, 08:19 PM
Just a quick question. I have a crank similar to the one pictured (mine is a double). It's creaking a bit on the left side. I want to take the crank off and grease it. There is a hex bolt that I have a wrench for but will that get the crank off? Please walk me through it if you can....

http://home.comcast.net/~joelw135/Ultegra_Crank.jpg

If that is in fact the crank you have pictured, all you need is an 8mm hex. It will extract the crank as you are undoing the bolt.

longbeachgary
02-24-10, 08:50 PM
If that is in fact the crank you have pictured, all you need is an 8mm hex. It will extract the crank as you are undoing the bolt.

So 12 minutes after I post my question, I have an answer and 10 minutes later, the axle is cleaned, lubed and remounted. Thanks Operator.

AndrewP
02-24-10, 09:27 PM
The creak could be movement between the BB cup and the frame. Can be cured with teflom plumber's tape on the cup threads.

operator
02-24-10, 09:45 PM
The creak could be movement between the BB cup and the frame. Can be cured with teflom plumber's tape on the cup threads.

It pays to read the thread and the associated post dates.