Push Fit MTB BB

[red997]

afternoon all;

Well, my bottom bracket has a creak.
Bike is a Boardman Pro C hardtail MTB, with FSA PF 30 bottom bracket
and a bloody annoying one at that.
Thought I'd fixed it - cranks off, spindle out, clean, grease, re-press fit in (didnt remove cups or bearings.
but no, 10 mins into ride creaking again.

now, I've never been near a PF BB before - all new tech to me !

I'm pretty mechanically minded, but for the life of me I can't see how this type of bearing assy can creak ?

Anyhow, easy fixes ?

or is it a case of taking thew old assy out (and trashing the plastic cups at the same time) and re-seating a new part in (with loctite)?
if so, any brand that comes recomended ? I'd pay extra for Serviceability & quality.

FWIW, I've only done about 20 miles on the bike from new;
my first one wa snicked from the station, and that never creaked one bit.

I could just chuck it at a shop - but I like to fix stuff myself !
(and unless anyone can tell me otherwise, I don't know of a good bike shop in Watford?)
cheers

[BadgerBenji]

The plastic cups are designed to be replaced. You don't need to use loctite to fit the new unit, light smear of grease is ideal, helps it in, and makes it removing next time less of a trauma. A headset cup remover is the ideal tool for removal, and a headset press to reinstall. I have replaced the bearings by removing them with a blind bearing puller, they were the same size as bb30 bearings, which was great as I had some in my spares box, and finding a PF30 in 100mm width isn't easy for a fat bike.

[Kermit power]

Bloody hell, these things sound complicated!!!

How many orders of magnitude better than a Shimano Octalink BB (the only ones I've ever changed) are these to justify the extra complication?

[gazza285]

Kermit power said:

Bloody hell, these things sound complicated!!!

How many orders of magnitude better than a Shimano Octalink BB (the only ones I've ever changed) are these to justify the extra complication?

Non. A couple of my bikes have Shimano square taper bottom brackets that have lasted forever, all my modern bikes get through bearings at a fantastic rate.

[red997]

having spent many, many years running the std tapered square spindle botom brackets, I really cant see these as a major improvement
to me, it looks like the frame manufacturers push for this, especially with the carbon frames, as it's a cheaper production process for them - pus the problem else where !

I guess there is some merit in larger dia frame tubes, BB and spindle form a torsional regidity POV, but to me it's now become a product compatibilty minefield...

Anyway, looks like I'l be spending out on a new BB - can't see how I can remove the old BB without trashing the plastic cups.
Not too happy with the FSA quality...might take a look at Hope, if they have something that will fit!
Always had good products from them in the past 15 years
David