Yet another "the creaking won't stop" thread
10-27-15, 10:23 PM
#1
Non omnino gravis
Thread Starter
Yet another "the creaking won't stop" thread
Disclaimer: I have searched, and I have read, and read, and read.
This started about 2 weeks ago. Rasping sort of creak, on both pedal strokes, when either the L or R pedal is at the forward(?) position... 3 o'clock? The creak occurs when seated or standing, so long as there is a fair amount of load on the crank. If I sit and pedal slowly, say 60-70rpm on a flat surface, I can get it to be quiet. If I stand, the creak is there regardless of load or cadence.
This is an aluminum frame, English-threaded BB, with whatever crank KHS fitted the bike with-- the bearings in the BB measure 24.7mm ID, which leads me to think FSA. Anyhow, it went 5000+ miles without creaking, and then decided to start. What I've done to narrow it down so far:
So, I'm at a loss. I haven't pulled out the fork and regreased all of that (yet) but the sound really doesn't appear to be coming from the headset, and I can hear the creak even when riding with hands off the bars, so... I dunno. I just want it to stop. What have I forgotten to check? What on the bike can make this noise? The only thing lurking in the back of my mind is wear on the crank spindle, which I hope is unlikely, because if that's the case, I guess I gotta learn to live with it. So if someone can chime in and say that's impossible, that would also be great.
This started about 2 weeks ago. Rasping sort of creak, on both pedal strokes, when either the L or R pedal is at the forward(?) position... 3 o'clock? The creak occurs when seated or standing, so long as there is a fair amount of load on the crank. If I sit and pedal slowly, say 60-70rpm on a flat surface, I can get it to be quiet. If I stand, the creak is there regardless of load or cadence.
This is an aluminum frame, English-threaded BB, with whatever crank KHS fitted the bike with-- the bearings in the BB measure 24.7mm ID, which leads me to think FSA. Anyhow, it went 5000+ miles without creaking, and then decided to start. What I've done to narrow it down so far:
- Swapped out pedals to some plastic flats-- no change
- Completely removed, cleaned, and regreased (waterproof teflon grease) the BB (three times,) including repacking the bearings-- no change
- Removed and cleaned chainring bolts, applied anti-seize to inside and outside of female bolt halves-- no change
- Removed seatpost, cleaned post and seattube, reapplied anti-seize-- no change
- Lubricated all derailleur pivot points, front and rear-- no change
- Lubricated FD cable in plastic "bridge" under BB shell with Dri-Slide-- no change
- Cleaned/checked wheel skewer seating front and rear-- no change
- Went through and checked torque on pretty much every bolt, including water bottle cages, stem, stem cap, brakes... everything-- no change
So, I'm at a loss. I haven't pulled out the fork and regreased all of that (yet) but the sound really doesn't appear to be coming from the headset, and I can hear the creak even when riding with hands off the bars, so... I dunno. I just want it to stop. What have I forgotten to check? What on the bike can make this noise? The only thing lurking in the back of my mind is wear on the crank spindle, which I hope is unlikely, because if that's the case, I guess I gotta learn to live with it. So if someone can chime in and say that's impossible, that would also be great.
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10-27-15, 10:27 PM
#2
Galveston County Texas
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Mine was the crank set.
Swapped it with another bike and the creak went with the crank set to the other bike.
Swapped it with another bike and the creak went with the crank set to the other bike.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
10-27-15, 10:49 PM
#3
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How did you lube those outboard bearings? 5,000 miles is enough to wear out bottom bracket bearing. I'd replace those. Spindle wear... in your dreams! Haha
10-27-15, 11:02 PM
#4
Non omnino gravis
Thread Starter
Pulled the shields, flushed the bearings, packed with grease, reinstalled. They run very smooth with no apparent play in them at all. If I get a new BB and put it in and the creak doesn't go away then I guess I'll know for sure it's the crank... but that's a risky buy, if the current BB is still good. I guess I'll keep my eye out for a crankset that comes with a BB and go for that if nothing else works. I'm just really hoping something else works.
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10-27-15, 11:27 PM
#5
Senior Member
Few trouble spots overlooked:
Take the derailleur hanger off, clean it, grease the mating surfaces of the hanger/frame and bolt, reassemble.
Dab some grease on the dropouts where the rear axle seats into them.
Cleanup any flaking/cracked paint where the rear skewer hits the frame.
Take the derailleur hanger off, clean it, grease the mating surfaces of the hanger/frame and bolt, reassemble.
Dab some grease on the dropouts where the rear axle seats into them.
Cleanup any flaking/cracked paint where the rear skewer hits the frame.
10-28-15, 12:13 AM
#6
Non omnino gravis
Thread Starter
Few trouble spots overlooked:
Take the derailleur hanger off, clean it, grease the mating surfaces of the hanger/frame and bolt, reassemble.
Dab some grease on the dropouts where the rear axle seats into them.
Cleanup any flaking/cracked paint where the rear skewer hits the frame.
Take the derailleur hanger off, clean it, grease the mating surfaces of the hanger/frame and bolt, reassemble.
Dab some grease on the dropouts where the rear axle seats into them.
Cleanup any flaking/cracked paint where the rear skewer hits the frame.
So I make stuff (part hobby, part profession) you want a thing? More than one thing? I make custom stem caps. I'll gladly send you a stem cap. I make valve stem covers too. Free. You have no idea what these last two weeks have been like. THAT SOUND. DEAR SWEET LORD THAT SOUND. I THINK I HEAR THE RRRRKKKK RRRRKKKK IN MY SLEEP.
Seriously-- if you want a stem cap, you let me know and it's yours. They look a whole lot like this (and I can make one out of whatever wood/plastic you'd like, so long as I have some on hand)
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10-28-15, 01:43 AM
#7
Senior Member
I just went into the workshop and did all of those things... and I'm really, really trying to contain my excitement right now, BUT IT TOTALLY WORKED. Bike isn't making a peep. I rode around the block twice, in the pitch black, in a state of absolute disbelief. I thought I had greased everything on the bike at this point. But a Q-tip with a little anti-seize on the RD hanger, around the rear axle stubs... BAM.
Now that you at least know the general area, if it comes back, you can take a better look at what is causing it.
Those top caps look pretty slick.
