Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum: Cleaning the BB

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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
Cleaning the BB

Occam's Razor

Nov 21, 08 16:40

Post #1 of 10 (263 views)

Cleaning the BB	Can't Post

So my road bike has developed this really annoying clicking sound lately. It only clicks when I am pedaling, and only if I add force to the pedals. If I manage to spin the cranks without pushing down on them hard at all, there won't be any clicks. When I push on the cranks really hard, I can actually slightly feel the click through the cranks. I am pretty sure this is coming from the BB, though I am open to other ideas of what it could be.

Being new to the bike wrenching thing, I was wondering what the best way to clean out the BB would be. I am aware of resources like the Park Tool website, I was just wondering what others typically do in cases like this. Also, since I have just begun wrenching my bike lately, I don't have a whole lot of tools, so what special tools, if any, would I require?

Thanks in advance!
============
'09 Race Schedule
Oceanside 70.3
http://ucsdtriathlon.org

trail

Nov 21, 08 17:09

Post #2 of 10 (246 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [Occam's Razor] [In reply to]	Can't Post

At the minimum you need a bottom bracket tool. What kidn depends on what kind of BB you have. The rest you can do with general purpose tools.

After cleaning and re-greasing, there are two school of thought on solving the clicking problem: thread locker and teflon tape. Some people say to use some Loctite on the BB threads, other say lay down some teflon tape before reassembly. I've never had a problem with my BBs so haven't done either myself, however.....

android

Nov 21, 08 17:10

Post #3 of 10 (245 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [Occam's Razor] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, there's a half a dozen or more different types of crank assemblies out there, so make and model might help.

Occam's Razor

Nov 21, 08 18:26

Post #4 of 10 (214 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [android] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The bike is a 2008 specialized allez, with (AFAIK):

CRANKSET: Sugino Comp, five arm, polished arms
BOTTOM BRACKET: Sport cartridge, square taper, 68 x 113mm
============
'09 Race Schedule
Oceanside 70.3
http://ucsdtriathlon.org

zipp

Nov 21, 08 19:55

Post #5 of 10 (185 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [Occam's Razor] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Actually the click may be a few things:

1. Remove, regrease and re-install your chainring bolts.

2. Check to be sure your crankarms are tight

3. Remove, regrease and re-install the pedals.

4. Remove the cranks and bb and then regrease and re-install the bb and cranks.

Oh, and not necessarily in that order : )
Paul
---------------------------------------------------------
http://casasedona.com

pito00

Nov 21, 08 21:27

Post #6 of 10 (167 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [zipp] [In reply to]	Can't Post

To further complicate matters, if it's gear dependent it might be coming from your cassette, which means you need to take your cassette off the rear wheel, clean it, regrease each surface that touches anything else, then torque it back down to spec. EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE TORQUED TO SPEC! YOU CAN MESS UP THE CRANKS ON A SQUARE TAPER BOTTOM BRACKET BY TORQUING THE CRANKS DOWN TOO HARD!!!!
-------------------------------
On my way up!
"Drugs are for medical conditions. Being an athlete is not a medical condition."
-Dr. W, WADA

Occam's Razor

Nov 21, 08 22:45

Post #7 of 10 (143 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [pito00] [In reply to]	Can't Post

No, the clicking is not gear dependent, so I'll assume that rules out the cassette.

So basically I just need to remove and re-grease everything on the bottom of my bike. Sounds like fun! ;-)

And I'll make sure to keep the torques to spec. A torque wrench is one of the things I actually do have already.

Thanks for the great info guys!
============
'09 Race Schedule
Oceanside 70.3
http://ucsdtriathlon.org

KarlEtzel

Nov 22, 08 4:45

Post #8 of 10 (109 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [Occam's Razor] [In reply to]	Can't Post

One other easy check - make sure your cleats are in good condition and properly tightened.

Silicon Valley Cycling Center http://www.svcyclingcenter.com
Premium Custom Bikes, Bike Fit Specialists
BikeConcierge - Everything for the Traveling Cyclist

Flak

Nov 22, 08 4:46

Post #9 of 10 (109 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [Occam's Razor] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Just pull the BB and liberally apply grease to the threads (don't worry about the rest of the body).

Do that before you waste time doing anything else.

easy-rider

Nov 22, 08 6:26

Post #10 of 10 (85 views)

Re: Cleaning the BB [Occam's Razor] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm servicing my bikes for ~15 years and went through all kinds of clicking and cracking sounds. Sounds coming from the BB area may be caused by BB itself, loosened crank arm or pedals. Loosened square crank armed is not that uncommon since you can't tighten them as hard as Ostalink or similar cranks. Here are few things you can try before investing into a crank puller and few wrenches. First tighten crank bolts and pedals. Check if there is a play in BB - hold your bike and try pushing/pulling crank sideways. Check if there is a play in pedals - hold crank push pedal up & down. If you find where does the annoying sound come from - disassemble, grease and put everything back. I had clicking sounds coming from looze crank arms when I was using square BB but don't have this problem after switching to Dura Ace 9 speed BB that I tighten well and service twice a year. I bike ~5500 miles a year on my commute bike under any weather conditions and normally get clicking sounds from pedals. If you everything sits tight, greased properly and you still get clicking sounds then you may need to replace your BB. If you put some decent miles on your bike then I'd recommend to start servicing your bike yourself. You can get a pro level kit from Nashbar or Performance Web site for ~100 bucks and enjoy click/crack free rides. If you're new to wrenching thing then you can always look up for information on the Park Tool or Sheldon Brown (what a great guy he was!!!).