Greetings, all. I recently removed my cranks (2013 SRAM Rival with GXP BB), I noticed that drive side bearing doesn't seem like it wants to move freely; instead, it clicks in uniform increments, like the dial on an old TV.

To me, this seems like the bearings might be cooked, but I was wondering if anyone else had noticed this ever. I also saw that, in SRAM's literature, the drive side bearing is described as "'float[ing]' on spindle, handling only radial loads as you pedal." Is this what they mean?

I felt no crunch or hesitation with the crank still on, or while pedaling.

Your thoughts?

Well, I don't know. I had a Rival GXP BB dating from the original 2nd-gen Rival release (so mid-2008). A month or so after installing it on my new cross bike, after life on a couple different bikes before then, it started making clicking sounds when I pedaled. I replaced it, and the clicks went away. YMMV. But if it does not turn smoothly it is probably time.

if i read you right, you have removed the crank completely from the bb bearings and were turning the bearings with what? fingers? and there was clicking noise? one side or both sides? but when you put it back together you couldn't duplicate the noise with the crank reassembled? did you hook up the chain and rear wheel or just spin the crank alone without any chain on it?

call me Roseann Rosannadana...

Right, we're talking about just spinning with my fingers, no cranks attached. The left side spins without trouble, as you might expect; it's just the drive-side bearing that's feeling chunky. I put the cranks back on, and they turned smoothly (thought I could hear a little grinding when I put my ear to the frame). Did not bother to re-mount the chain, etc., as the whole bike is stripped right now (getting my frame painted).

Seems like prudence dictates getting a new set of bearings, especially since I've got the bike stripped currently.

Thanks!

ya, not a bad idea.