Bicycle Mechanics - Clicking noise in drivside pedal area?

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WoundedKnee
08-03-10, 10:41 PM
I'm not absolutely sure if it's the pedal. The bike is a singlespeed EighthInch Scrambler v2 with Origin 8 square taper cartridge BB, 107mm. Cranks are EighthInch "track" cranks, 165mm. And the pedals are cheapo WellGo track pedals, that's the reason I think it might be them.
But, about a week ago I was trying to figure it out, and I noticed both cranks looked farther out on the bottom bracket than normal, I got out the torque wrench and sure enough the both pushed in nearly a whole centimeter. But the clicking has since continued and gotten worse. My lady thinks it might be the freewheel but I doubt it, it's brand new. The entire bike was built up from scratch about 2 months ago, it probably has a couple hundred miles on it.
Jeff Wills
08-03-10, 11:31 PM
I'm not absolutely sure if it's the pedal. The bike is a singlespeed EighthInch Scrambler v2 with Origin 8 square taper cartridge BB, 107mm. Cranks are EighthInch "track" cranks, 165mm. And the pedals are cheapo WellGo track pedals, that's the reason I think it might be them.
But, about a week ago I was trying to figure it out, and I noticed both cranks looked farther out on the bottom bracket than normal, I got out the torque wrench and sure enough the both pushed in nearly a whole centimeter. But the clicking has since continued and gotten worse. My lady thinks it might be the freewheel but I doubt it, it's brand new. The entire bike was built up from scratch about 2 months ago, it probably has a couple hundred miles on it.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html
The cranks were out a whole centimeter? They'd fall off if they were out that far. A millimeter is barely plausible.
Things to check:
is there grease on the pedal threads?
are the chainring bolts greased and on tight enough?
are all the contact surfaces in the BB (sliding and threaded connections) lubed with either grease or teflon tape?
are the pedal cages on tight?
That's assuming it's in the BB and not some other area that's resonating and just sounding like it's coming from the BB.
electrik
08-03-10, 11:36 PM
The cranks are still secure, yes? They don't move when you say put a hand on the seat-tube and the crank and wiggle the crank?
Does the drive pedal wiggle more than the left?
madpogue
08-04-10, 12:49 AM
If you rode some distance with the crank arms so "loose" on the tapers, the square holes might be enlarged/damaged to the point where they'll move/creak on the tapers, even when fully seated now. It may not even be enough wear/damage to perceive visually. Do you have another crankset you could put on the BB, just as a test?
WoundedKnee
08-04-10, 01:39 AM
I took everything off but the left crank arm, put pressure on it, determined it was definitely the bottom bracket. Not sure what's going on there, I had it installed by my LBS. The right side(I think) of the bb looked like it was pressed up against one side of the bb shell.
And yes, everything was properly greased(alot) by me except the bb that I had installed, I'm sure they must have.. and they said they faced the shell. Maybe 1cm was exaggerating but they were out noticeably. I'll be taking the frame to the shop tomorrow. Thanks guys, if you have anything else to add go ahead.
MarvelousMark
08-04-10, 06:53 AM
The easy stuff is:
1) are your skewers tight?
2) are the clipless pedal springs lubed up?
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