Creaky bottom bracket?

[BliarOut]

My cartridge BB had developed a creak. I'm going to pop to the lbs to get a tool tomorrow and nip it up.

Should it be tight, ie it clamps against the outer race or do you just nip it up gently?

[Flippin' Kipper]

Bottom brackets should be tight - around 45nm if I recall correctly, although it is possible to over tighten them. The creaking may also be caused by the BB threads being dry inside the BB shell threads.

[shalmaneser]

It could be a number of things but yes, it should be tight.

[TheTardis]

If you buy the tool, remove the BB then regrease the threads, otherwise it will creak again.
Don't forget to also check that the pedal threads are greased and appropriately tightened, otherwise....it may still creak and your pedals may fall off.
Of course, if it still creaks after that, it could be the seatpost,saddle clamp, stem, bars or the frame is cracked......

[b2hbm]

Are you sure it's the BB itself and not the crank/axle interface ?

I can't recall having the BB creaking but the cranks themselves have, even though they are as tight as I can get them. But removing & refitting with lots of grease everywhere seems to do the trick.

[ARH]

check your seat post, just move it a bit and reset it. I know it sounds daft but it certainly cured what I thought was a BB creak. It was the best advice I ever had. worth a try.

[BliarOut]

Grab rh crank and pull lh crank moves. It's either the cartridge or it's loose. Off to get a tool later to be sure.

[Simond S]

ARH said:

check your seat post, just move it a bit and reset it. I know it sounds daft but it certainly cured what I thought was a BB creak. It was the best advice I ever had. worth a try.

Better than "dont pee upwind" ?

[MadDad]

Also check the pedal threads, mine were fitted dry and were fine for a couple of months then started to creak like a barn door in a storm! Whipped the pedals off, greased the thread and job done!

[BliarOut]

MadDad said:

Also check the pedal threads, mine were fitted dry and were fine for a couple of months then started to creak like a barn door in a storm! Whipped the pedals off, greased the thread and job done!

I fitted my pedals so I know they're coated in lovely copper grease

[IroningMan]

It's your knee.

HTH.

[BliarOut]

You could be onto something there, it is a bit noisy

[shouldbworking]

MadDad said:

Also check the pedal threads, mine were fitted dry and were fine for a couple of months then started to creak like a barn door in a storm! Whipped the pedals off, greased the thread and job done!

Hmm might be needing to take the pedals off this weekend then on my bike!

[WeirdNeville]

It's very unusual for a bottom bracket to creak unless it's actually knackered it's bearings. What kind of cranks/BB axle interface do you have? If it's a tapered axle check that first. Less likely if it's one of the splined/octalink style axles.

[BliarOut]

Well so far the BB was fractionally loose causing the creak, the BB itself is shot one pedal could have been tighter and the chain is all but shot. Other than that it was fine

[IroningMan]

Time for an upgrade, then...

[curlie467]

BliarOut said:

Well so far the BB was fractionally loose causing the creak, the BB itself is shot one pedal could have been tighter and the chain is all but shot. Other than that it was fine

Bog all worng there then, i have ridden far worse!

[BliarOut]

swerni said:

you sure that noise isn't your knees?

I know what they sound like, I can hear them going upstairs!