QVD

I first noticed the screws that fasten my cranks to the chain ring really loose. After tightening, they come loose every 20 km or so and make a horrifying grinding noise on the right side at low speeds. Some previous threads indicate that once the crank threads come loose (by lack of maintenance), they become stripped and the only fix is to replace them.

Has anyone else encountered this?

Scrodzilla

I always put a drop on blue Loctite on my chainring bolts and the bolts that came stock on my Omniums already had it. They very rarely need tightening.

ianjk

Does this happen to be on a conversion that used to have two chainrings in front?

QVD

No, it's an Iro Angus that's a couple years old.

Thanks for the input, Scrod. I'll try loctite first before replacing it.

monsterkidz

What is making the grinding noise? The chainring bolts? Bottom Bracket? The crank/BB interface?

Scrodzilla

Right on. Just a drop...don't overdo it. If there's any grease on the threads, you're going to want to clean that all off first.

QVD

I'm hoping it's just the loosening bolts. I've removed the BB a couple times and my only worry is that they were over torqued when re-installing.

Will pick up some Loctite after work and hopefully won't need to replace the cranks.

FastJake

Nah, I doubt it. What destroys cranks is when the crank fixing bolt comes loose, causing the arm to wobble on the spindle. The square taper gets enlarged and then the arm is toast.

Loose chainring bolts shouldn't cause much damage, provided you haven't been riding around with them too much. Get them nice and tight, you should be fine.

QVD

Thanks for the tip, Scrod -that did the trick! I applied the Loctite yesterday and let it cure for the recommended 24 hours. Took it for a test ride an hour ago and no more grinding noises! Now, it makes me wonder, what other threaded connections should I Loctite?

Scrodzilla

Awesome...glad it worked out! Be sure to check them every now and again but they shouldn't go loosening up on you now.