Busted bottom bracket/bearings?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 22
From: Calgary
Bikes: 2018 Ghost Square Trekking B2.8 e-bike; 2015 MEC Cote gravel/touring bike; 1985 Boyes-Rosser tourer, now outfitted as Winter Trundle-bike
Busted bottom bracket/bearings?
Hi all,
Possibly stupid question: I am getting a recurring "clunk" and the feeling that there is too much play in my pedals (on clunk per pedal revolution, and a feeling that there's some side-to-side flex, although when I grab the pedal and wiggle it, it doesn't seem to move). I have had the bottom bracket tightened, which stopped the noise briefly, but now it is back and is accompanied by a buzzy rattle that seems to be resonating through the frame and front fork. Could the bracket or the bearings be going? My LBSs don't seem to be much help - one told me my cassette was worn out, one tightened the bracket, and a third denied hearing any noise at all.
(The bike had a full tune up last month that also temporarily stopped the rattle/clunk/whatever.)
Bike is a 2006 Norco Pinnacle, very basic but I was really wanting to get more out of it than this. It has maybe 500kms on it altogether. It is my commuting vehicle.
Thanks!
Possibly stupid question: I am getting a recurring "clunk" and the feeling that there is too much play in my pedals (on clunk per pedal revolution, and a feeling that there's some side-to-side flex, although when I grab the pedal and wiggle it, it doesn't seem to move). I have had the bottom bracket tightened, which stopped the noise briefly, but now it is back and is accompanied by a buzzy rattle that seems to be resonating through the frame and front fork. Could the bracket or the bearings be going? My LBSs don't seem to be much help - one told me my cassette was worn out, one tightened the bracket, and a third denied hearing any noise at all.
(The bike had a full tune up last month that also temporarily stopped the rattle/clunk/whatever.)
Bike is a 2006 Norco Pinnacle, very basic but I was really wanting to get more out of it than this. It has maybe 500kms on it altogether. It is my commuting vehicle.
Thanks!
#3
My bike's better than me!

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 520
From: Northern Colorado
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, 'Dale T2000, DB Response Comp, '98 G. Fisher HKEK, '89 Panasonic DX-6000, '88 Fisher Montare XT, '83 Nishiki Int'l, '72 MB GR, '75 MB GJ, '77 MB LC, '85 Centurion Ironman, '82 Miyata 710
Here's a good place to start the diagnostic process: https://sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html
#5
Your mom

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 2
These noises are the worst. There are many threads on clunk-chasing around, but basically you need to eliminate all of the easy sources: seat, seatpost binder, bottle cages, cable housing slap, stem, handlebar, front derailleur, wheel not centered, QR skewer loose. From there, you move on to the tougher ones: pedals, crankarms, cassette / rear hub, bottom bracket. And I'm probably forgetting a lot. Lube everything up and tighten up and see what you get.
That said, if you had to have the BB tightened, then my money would be on that, especially if it solved the noise problem to begin with. A new one is $25 plus installation.
That said, if you had to have the BB tightened, then my money would be on that, especially if it solved the noise problem to begin with. A new one is $25 plus installation.





