creaky bottom bracket fixed with pipe thread compound
 

my 2006 ridley supercross scandium frame developed a nasty creak this past winter, on the bike commute to work, after one season of cyclocross racing. it got better in high heat and humidity so I assumed it was some gap being closed. so about a month ago, I broke down the entire drive train, cleaned everything, greased all the threads, with special attention to the mega exo BB threads. hopped back on and . . . creak-roink, creakk-roink, GAAAA.

talked to the shop guys who said a lot of creaking noises sound like the BB but could be anything, even the der hanger.

then couple days ago was at the hardware store and happened upon some pipe thread compound, and remembered something about titanium frame BB so decided to give it a whirl. broke down the entire drive train. cleaned, soaked, regreased everything . . . but this time, applied the pipe thread compound to the mega exo BB shell and BB threads . . . liberally. reassembled. the BB went on tight and gave it an extra little torque. hopped on and . . . no creaking, hooray!

I really don't have any question. just wonder if these press-on BB are prone to creaking and require regular reassembly, cleaning, and regreasing. anyone else have experience with pipe thread compound with press-on BB and scandium frames? I think it will be a bugger to get that BB back off . . . if the creakin starts up again.

I've never used the pipe thread (Teflon paste) compound on threaded bb's but I've used the "plumbers Teflon tape" many times and it works very well and keeps everything silent and corrosion free.

I have the tick and tack sound coming from what seems to be my BB also...i changed my wheels yesterday and thought it might be that but it's still making the same ticking noise...

it could be almost anything. the shop guys indicated they have a protocol to eliminate causes one by one. for example, it could be your seatpost, to eliminate, stand up off the seat, and listen if the sounds changes.

I'm most curious if the external BB are more noisy than the traditional internal ones. and whether certain frame materials are more prone to creaks than others, eg. my carbon fiber Giant TCR has an external BB and never any noise, but the Ridley scandium had a nasty creak. the external BB are much easier to uninstall, so it might be they need regular removal and regreasing; whereas the old internal shell BB were almost impossible to remove once installed. there was also a puddle of water inside the shell when I removed the mega exo BB from the Ridley, so that can't be good. and the last rain ride was 2 weeks prior!

Recently got to do this on my road bike. Creaking got worse and worse, meanwhile I ruled out the saddle and the headset tightness as the source of the ticking. Popped off the cranks and tightened the BB and dust seal, and suddenly it was gone! Came back a little bit a few days ago, so perhaps I'll give your method or some teflon tape a try!

creaky bottom bracket fixed with pipe thread compound
 

So are you using Teflon tape instead of grease on the threads or in addition?

the creaking has returned, after only a week, got progressively worse, so I assume something is loosening up, BB threads? I just used the compound alone, so guess next step will be the the Teflon tape alone, then if that doesn't work, try both. GAAAAA, starting to "not like" this bike, except it races so nice. maybe the creaking will be drowned out by all the race noises on grass and dirt.

Have the same problems with my mega exo external BB. Took it apart last week and used the teflon tape. Managed to reduce the noise for all of 5 miles. Admittedly it was a quieter "creak" than in the past but a creak is a creak. Bearings were replaced once (gratis by Performance Bike) but eventually it came back.

Was the pipe thread compound "anti-seize" or something else? Thinking of trying some just to see what happens. I'm not adverse to trying some new bearings (even ceramic) but hate to spend the money just to have a pricier noise.

If there's water in the BB you should drill a hole in the frame to let it drain out. Standing water will not be good for your bearings!

What type of bottom bracket shell does the frame have? Traditional English threaded, or one of those press fit BB30/BB90/whatever shells? External bearing bottom brackets can be used in traditional threaded shells, which is why I ask.

I have a few bikes with Shimano Hollowtech II external bearing cranks and never had a problem with them, applying plenty of grease on all the threads and interfaces when I install them.

Both. I'm a belt and suspenders guy.

the BB is external . . . mega-exo. I didn't know external could be used on traditional threaded, think that requires an adaptor. anyway, will try the teflon tape this weekend and report back. maybe I should just skip ahead to the pipe thread compound PLUS teflon tape, go overkill.

I'm reluctant to drill my BB, wouldn't want to weaken it . . . but if it's collecting water, that's not good. well, it hasn't rained forever, since the first BB overhaul, so the water couldn't be a direct cause of the creak, though certainly not good for the bearings.

re bearings, I noted when I cleaned the BB, that one bearing was noticeably looser and more grindy . . . so guess that would be the next thing to replace. shop said they do not replace bearings separately from the entire BB so have to find a source for mega-exo bearings . . . or pop for an entire new BB. yuck. with a capital F. :)

I wouldn't bother trying to find bearings to fit the cups; PITA to press the old ones out and fit the new ones without damaging them.

As annoying as it is to waste a couple of bits of nicely machined and anodised aircraft grade ally, a pair of cups and bearings will only set you back like $30.

That's a confusing term to use due to the existence of press-fit BBs that don't use threads. As you've gathered by now, external BB is the correct term for MegaExo, Hollowtech II, etc. And yeah, it must be pretty cool to suddenly realise you can hot-rod an old frame with 2-piece cranks.

removed the BB, cleaned off the old pipe thread compound, and wrapped threads with the teflon plumbers tape . . . raced on it yesterday and no creaking . . . fingers crossed. much faster this time since I know the wrenches, and reverse threading, about 20 minutes.