As you can see from my numerous recent posts, I am building up a frame. ( Which will be my last for the summer. The mancave is getting too friggin' hot). I am having trouble installing a Ritchey Octalink Crank.

Everytime I think I have it torqued down enough, it loosens as soon as I put weight on the left crank arm. Of course, the downward motion on the left crank is counter clockwise and loosens the nut.

What am I missing here? One thing, I did not install the two thin washers that came with it because I couldn't figure out where they went. (Correction, I just took out the bolts and discovered that I did install the washers).

Sorry to keep bothering all of you, but you are the best bike mechanics I know.

Thanks,

RFC

You really just have to feel it. Once you think you have it aligned, crank on that hex key. It will tighten up quickly, then if you keep cranking it, it will slightly loosen, and then start to tighten again.

WARNING: This is how I do it. Use these instructions at your own risk!!!

You say "hex key." Do you mean the allen wrench? I have torqued on this as much as is humanly possible with the same result everytime.

OK, I'm an idiot. I just figured it out. I didn't have the notches aligned properly. It's now on.

You are really a nice bunch of guys that always try to be helpful when I am inept. You shouldn't be wasting your time responding to my posts. In the future, let's just use the forum as another way for me to talk to myself.

Maybe I just miss my Father-in-Law -- WWII D Day Vet, AT&T exec, and first rate mechanic, carpenter, and handyman. And when I would help him with repairs around his house, I learned entirely new combinations of words. "Plumbing works better if you swear at it."

You FIL sounds like my kinda guy.

Glad you got everything squared (or should I say octalinked?) away!

I know you've already got this figured out, but just for posterity's sake: those two "extra" washers that came with the crank bolts are most likely pedal washers (to sit between the pedal spindle and the crank end)--not essential, just help protect the finish on the crank.