Creaking from bb/cranks

[woodies92]

Hi my bike (01 rockhopper) has started creaking rather badly from the crank/bb area. It hasn't been serviced in years so is in need of some work but i'm hoping i can remedy this creaking with out new parts. Can i get some grease or something that will cure it or do i need to replace it?

Thanks
Woody

[Parrot of Doom]

Check first it isn't your saddle.

Once you're certain, just swap the bottom bracket. It'll likely be a cassette unit, very easy to remove. Not serviceable, and frankly they're so cheap its not worth bothering anyway.

You'll need to remove both cranks (special extraction tool, less than a tenner).

You'll also need a splined tool to remove the bottom bracket, along with a bloody big spanner. You may find it impossible to remove the splined side (left side of the bike), if so all you do is get the nut that held the crank in, a decent sized washer, and bolt your splined tool to the bottom bracket. That way it won't slip when you try to undo it.

Once the BB is out, check out the numbers on the label. Buy a new one with the same numbers, and bob's your uncle.

From memory, I think the drive side just needs the correct size spanner to undo, but others will correct me.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Thursday 10th August 22:17

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Thursday 10th August 22:18

[Parrot of Doom]

Oh and each side has an opposite thread. But I can never remember which side has what

[Stu247]

Parrot of Doom said:

Oh and each side has an opposite thread. But I can never remember which side has what

Drive side (Crank or RH) is clockwise to loosen and removes the whole BB unit, the cup on the LH is loosened anti-clockwise and should be removed first.

The special tool is around a tenner but you need a 32mm socket IIRC or a bloody big spanner !!

A new BB will cost around 15 pounds but you can spend more if you like !!

Unless you plan to change a lot of them, it's prob best to get your local bike shop to to do it.

Edited by Stu247 on Friday 11th August 10:09

[neil_cardiff]

Before you do any of that, make sure you clean the BB threads and frame threads.

99% of the time it cures the creaking.

While your at it, clean the crank tapers too, as these have a habit of creaking too.

If this doesn't cure it, change one thing at a time, but BB's don't 'usually' creak, they just die.

Try that first...

Edited by neil_cardiff on Friday 11th August 10:30

[White_van_Man]

neil_cardiff said:

Before you do any of that, make sure you clean the BB threads and frame threads.

99% of the time it cures the creaking.

While your at it, clean the crank tapers too, as these have a habit of creaking too.

If this doesn't cure it, change one thing at a time, but BB's don't 'usually' creak, they just die.

Try that first...

Edited by neil_cardiff on Friday 11th August 10:30

seconded. whenever i have a creak i take the cranks and pedals off and regrease the threads on the pedals and the tapers on the cranks, i also take the seatpost out regrease that and loosten off the seat clamp and run a bit of lube down the seat rails. It only takes 10 mins to do and it fix's 99% of creaks on my bike

[Roman]

You could try putting some ptfe tape into the threads where the BB screws into the frame if this does not work - everyone used to do this on Vitus Ali frames.

[Phil Hopkins]

I had the same problem with my old Rockhopper. I ended up replacing both the cranks and BB.

[woodies92]

Thanks for the info. I'll try cleaning/greasing everything first and if it won't work i'll replace it. will this kit have most of what i need as i'm quitetempted to buy it

www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20060814.p.Bicycle_Toolbox.ar6

Thanks
Woody

[neil_cardiff]

Nope, don't buy that, looking at it, it'll be made of monkey metal. Tools need to be high quality otherwise you'll just end up breaking them, your bike and your fingers.

Buy ONLY Park tools, and if you really have to, Wrench Force kit. It's more expensive, but so much nicer to work with on a bike. Nothing worse than yanking down on a BB tool and it snap in half on you...

Anything other than Park tools else WILL break.

End of.

Edited by neil_cardiff on Friday 11th August 18:07