DarKris

So I'm using a square taper bottom bracket and crank which have been used for a little under 6 months (March - August / Past 2 weeks) and I fully installed it making sure to properly grease all the threads and tighten the BB/cranks, I even greased the spindles which I now have cleaned of grease. However I noticed that the bottom bracket was creaking every time I did low cadence pedaling in a high gear/uphill (this is when I could audibly hear the creak). Coming from an Octalink BB I never had issues with BB creaks untill I started noticing deformity in the crank interface. My square taper cranks seem to have some deformity, but it's not completely warped like I have done in the past to crank arms (usually the non-drive side)

Like I stated, I only have this problem with the square taper bottom bracket. I am confident that I installed everything properly and I am using a plastic non-drive side cup vs the metal one that I was using. Pedal threads and crank bolt threads have been properly greased as well. The only possible cause I feel is the crank interface, however I can't be 100% sure after diagnosing literally everything regarding my BB.

AnkleWork

A few answers here:
Bottom bracket creaking

DarKris

As I anticipated, there could be a million things that need to be checked.

I had a clicking noise coming from my headset that I got rid of by re-greasing the headsset bearings - That's gone.

Checked my seat/seat post - re-greased that - no problem.

Like I said before I honestly feel like this is an isolated issue with square taper BBs. Oddly enough I rode a Specialized Sequoia from my LBS with a square taper and that creaked when I pedaled as well. Sometimes I feel like due to my weight (~360lbs) I put more pressure on those bbs causing creaks. When I switched to Octalink I never had BB creaks, only pedal creaks and clicks from a loosening crank arm.

bradtx

DarKris, If the creaking sound is surely coming from the BB I'd try a metal NDS adapter. Your weight and probably leg strength maybe causing the plastic adapter to deform under load. This is the easiest and least expensive possible fix that I can think of.

Just for the sake of your knees, I suggest down shifting more for your climbs.

Brad

DarKris

As I stated, I was having the creaking issue with the metal NDS cup in the BB Shell. Even though I greased the cups on both sides, I thought that because the teflon coating on the metal cup wore away that it was causing the creak. I switched to the plastic one because I thought that because it was plastic on metal that the creak would go away.

The plastic cup was also from my Octalink bottom bracket, of which I have not had any issues with creaking.

bradtx

Sorry, I must have confused the two BBs.

You might try a single wrap of teflon tape on the taper. If this stops the creaking it could mean that a crank arm's taper is deformed, look for cracks at the inside of the crank arm's taper area before using the teflon tape. You also might consider a crank set that uses an external BB.

Brad

Wileyone 

Try taking off your Chain Ring Bolts and Greasing them. Worked on my DA 7700 Crank set.

travbikeman

I'm a big guy too, and have had to replace my BB on my Crosstrail a bit over a year ago. I've noticed with my new square taper BB, every now and then I have to re-torque everything. I remember reading some posts somewhere that this is king of a problem with square taper needing to be occasionally re-torqued.

DarKris

I'm actually rebuilding a bike with an external BB so hopefully that works out much better. I plan on selling my current bike and I was hoping to get rid of the creak before it got sold. I guess it would probably be best to just replace the crank and BB to be on the safe side.

Did this twice. Creak persisted.

EDIT: I misread this. My chainrings/crank arm are one piece. No bolts

Honesttly, for as much as I tinker with my bike trying to adjust it, I'd say having to constantly re-torque my crank bolts is very infuriating. I'm making the switch to Hollowtech cranks and for how much I spent I hope this becomes less of an issue going forward.

speedy25

My creaky problems were all solved with removing the crank arms, cleaning them and the square on the BB well, and reassembling with never seize.

-SP

79pmooney

There are also very good mechanics who insist that the flats on the crank and BB spindle must be absolutely grease free. You might want to try that if all else fails.

(I have no opinion here. I've done both. I am also quite good at tuning out noises that would cost me more to go after than the rewards justify. After all, it's all about riding the bike.)

Ben