Silverstone

Does anyone know the specs of the washer that comes with the 105 crankset bolt for the 105 Octalink BB?

shelbyfv

Did you lose both sides? Sometimes they hide in the crank arm.

Silverstone

Only after dismantling the second arm did I notice there was a washer. Returning then to the other arm, there was none anywhere. Not excluded it fell underneath the mammoth freezer I have nearby. Some threads I read mention the washer could be optionanl. My problem is that fitting the crank arms now on my new BB5500 bottom bracket, with the nuts screwed in tight, I get that slight play if I put wieght on my pedals. That induced an awful clunking noise after only 50km of riding at every pedal stroke. I hope to get rid of that play with the washer.

I tried to shop around for Octalink pedal cranks, but to no avail so far. What the basic LBS would porpose me is a newer crankset, which means 10 or 11 spd (I have 9), so new chain, rear derailleur, cassette... It feels almost as if having damaged the gas pedal in my car, I would need to replace the whole transmission. There has to be a way.

HillRider

A "10-speed" crank can be used with a 9-speed chain, etc. so that's no problem. At worst, a 10-speed chain can certainly be used with a 9-speed cassette. So, you may need a new crank and bottom bracket and possibly, but not certainly, a new chain. All other 9-speed components will work fine with either.

As you have noticed Octalink cranks are pretty much obsolete so, unless you can find one NOS, a newer crank is going to be necessary. The cheapest decent crank would be a Shimano Tiagra (FC4600, FC-4650, or FC-4603) double, compact double or triple as you wish. Shimano external bearing bottom brackets are very reasonably priced.

Slash5

Take the washer you have to the LBS. They should be able to match it up with something close enough.
However, riding the bike with the loose crank arm may have ruined the spline in the crank arm.