New threaded bottom bracket is squeaking - I need some ideas.
04-02-23, 12:07 AM
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New threaded bottom bracket is squeaking - I need some ideas.
I just replaced the bottom bracket for my sram force crank set. English threaded. Seems like a stupid simple install. SRAM GXP bottom bracket.
It squeaks. I can even get it to squeak a bit with the chain off, bike on the trainer, so it has to be the bottom bracket since its the only thing moving.
Is it bad out of the box? Everything seems well lubed.
What the hell could it be?
It squeaks. I can even get it to squeak a bit with the chain off, bike on the trainer, so it has to be the bottom bracket since its the only thing moving.
Is it bad out of the box? Everything seems well lubed.
What the hell could it be?
04-02-23, 02:17 AM
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Did you install spacers under the cups?
Did you install the splined spacer between the left arm and the bearing?
Did you install anything on the driveside spindle?
Does it spin easily, other than a little seal drag?
Did you install the splined spacer between the left arm and the bearing?
Did you install anything on the driveside spindle?
Does it spin easily, other than a little seal drag?
04-02-23, 07:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Kontact
Did you install spacers under the cups?
Did you install the splined spacer between the left arm and the bearing?
Did you install anything on the driveside spindle?
Does it spin easily, other than a little seal drag?
Did you install the splined spacer between the left arm and the bearing?
Did you install anything on the driveside spindle?
Does it spin easily, other than a little seal drag?
If by splined spacer you mean bearing cover, yes, its installed.
Nothing installed on the drive side spindle, aside from the bearing cover which stays in place on its own.
Yes, its spins quite freely.
04-02-23, 08:14 AM
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Did you thoroughly grease the cup and bottom bracket shell threads before installing the cups? Did you torque the cups to spec (350 to 400 inch-pounds which is VERY tight)? If you didn't do both go do them now. That should eliminate the squeaking.
Regular bearing grease or anti-seize will work just be generous in applying them. My preference is to wrap the cup threads in two layers of plumber's teflon tape which seals the threads completely but makes removal easy.
Regular bearing grease or anti-seize will work just be generous in applying them. My preference is to wrap the cup threads in two layers of plumber's teflon tape which seals the threads completely but makes removal easy.
Last edited by HillRider; 04-02-23 at 08:17 AM.
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04-02-23, 12:56 PM
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I applied a lot of grease and the problem was unchanged. I installed the OLD and obviously worn bottom bracket - still the same squeaking noise! Then I remember that I had a spare crank, a brand new one. The squeak is gone!
The old crank is a SRAM Force 11 with carbon fiber arms. They've seen some miles but looks like they're in good condition. The new crank is SRAM Red 10. The rest of the groupset is sram force 11 speed.
The old crank is a SRAM Force 11 with carbon fiber arms. They've seen some miles but looks like they're in good condition. The new crank is SRAM Red 10. The rest of the groupset is sram force 11 speed.
04-02-23, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by woodway
^^^ Teflon tape. Works great to seal those small gaps and stop the squeaks.
04-02-23, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by mattkime
I applied a lot of grease and the problem was unchanged. I installed the OLD and obviously worn bottom bracket - still the same squeaking noise! Then I remember that I had a spare crank, a brand new one. The squeak is gone!
The old crank is a SRAM Force 11 with carbon fiber arms. They've seen some miles but looks like they're in good condition. The new crank is SRAM Red 10. The rest of the groupset is sram force 11 speed.
The old crank is a SRAM Force 11 with carbon fiber arms. They've seen some miles but looks like they're in good condition. The new crank is SRAM Red 10. The rest of the groupset is sram force 11 speed.
04-02-23, 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Kontact
Any suspicious burrs or wear marks on the old spindle?
04-02-23, 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by mattkime
No. In fact, I realized that I could swap parts between the new and old crank. Its the non-drive side crank arm that was causing the problem. I don't have a visual explanation for this.
But you should also check the pedal. Is it greased and nice and tight? Is the threaded insert tight in the carbon arm, or is there some delamination?
