pulawman

Well, just as I was talking about eventually upgrading down the road when my bike starts to fall apart in the clydes forum.... my bike literally started to fall apart.

I decided after my wife left for work that I'd try and get another 10 miles in before bed. Well, everything was well until the last mile stretch when I noticed it felt as if my left pedal was bent or something. I looked down and saw that my left side crank was about to fall off.

Here's a quick video and some pics of the crank. I have no idea how to tighten them as this is like no bmx crankset I've ever worked on before. The nut inside the crank arm in pic # 2 is really nothing, no flathead or allen fits in there...just round.

I'd really appreciate it if somebody could lend some repair knowledge. The lbs here told me there is a two week wait on all tune up/repairs and I really don't want to wait that long to get back on my bike. Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kJRrGIEeIY

rumrunn6

socket wrench?

pulawman

where would I put a socket at on that crankset? I tried an open ended wrench on the square part of the bottom bracket where the crank arm is connected to with no luck, it didn't budge.

tonski 

Looks like there is a cap on the outside of the crank arm - take that out and use a hex driver to screw the crank arm back on. (Feel free to PM)

The square part between the arm and the BB is the axle (or spindle).

FlatMaster

Also, rather than simply tightening, I would take the crank off and inspect the square taper and threads for damage. Don't forget to grease the threads putting it back on.

pulawman

Thanks man, that's exactly what that was. I got it tightened up. Should I go ahead and take the other side off and tighten it up as well? It wasn't loose. I'll take for a test spin around the block tomorrow before I head out for my ride.

Again, much appreciated! I'm learning one day at a time.

pulawman

would it be a good idea for me to go ahead and take the cranks apart, regrease, use a non-seizing lube (maybe something like loctite), and then put back together?

Ex Pres 

You should need proper bike tools, unless everything is loose, to take the crank off and reinstall. Anti-sieze is a good idea. Loctite is not.

drafters65

tighten that sucker real good and if it loosens again replace the arm.

Drwecki

One way is to go on a 5 -10 mile ride and when you get home check the crank again...if it's loose then you probably need a new crank arm and bb...hopefully it holds up. You got to put them on tight! Maybe poor assembly at the shop that sold it to you... This is likely a minor problem, even if you had to replace the bottom bracket and the crank arm.. I'm guessing somewhere in the 40 dollar range for the parts! 10 bucks for the tool. If you want someone to do if for you post in the lafayette CL...there are tons of people in that town that could totally help you out!

JanMM

Conventional wisdom is not to put grease on the square taper before putting the crankarm on. Some would disagree.