BB or Crank noise (?)

[bikerRob]

8/07/06 >> Just a couple weeks ago I developed a creaking noise that seems to be coming from the crank/BB area. It only seems to make the noise though when I go up a steep climb and am torquing the drive train. Sounds like a combo grinding/creaking noise that happens more with a downward pedal stroke from the drive side. Need I say, stuff like this drives me bonkers! The chain is about 1.5 years old. The BB has seen it's share of deep stream crossings. &$#@#$ Why does stuff like this happen just when I'm about to put the other bike in the shop for upgrades! This is like owning two cars and having both break down at the same time..AHHHHH! Anyone with any ideas on what else might be causing the creak?

[Brizn]

Pedal? Cleat? Suspension pivot?

Best thing to do is take it all apart and clean, regrease, and rebuild with proper torque on all the bolts. Good luck man...I share your frustration!

[langer]

I've found that the skewers and chainrings bolts are two culprits that you usually don't consider when diagnosing a creak.
-jon

[Vecsus]

The symptoms you describe sound exactly like a dirty seatpost. 80% of the time I get creaks in my bike it's the seatpost. Remove, clean, grease.

[drevil]

Are you seated or standing when the creaking occurs?

[saxman]

Is it an ISIS BB? Sometimes the bearing races work their way loose and just need to be cranked down again.

[Dirt]

I've found that some square taper crank/bb combinations will creak and crunch after water gets into the interface. It happens with my both my ENO, Kooka and Ritchey cranks with Race Face, Actiontec and Phil bottom brackets. When it gets noisy, I pull the crank, clean the spindle and the inside of the crank interface thoroughly, then put the crank back on again. Now that I've got an EBB on my bike, I just service the EBB at the same time.

I've had Time pedals make similar noises when they're a year or two past their service interval. That is usually a little easier to diagnose because they feel like crap when you spin them with your fingers putting a little side load on the bearings.

Hope that helps.

Pete

[bikerRob]

8/07/06 >> Most of my technical climbs are done seated. I'm pretty sure it's not the seatpost because not more than a couple weeks ago my seatpost was making some Hellacious noises. I took it off , cleaned dirt out of the seat tube, tighten the bolt a little tighter and no more noise. The noise is definitely coming from the lower part of the bike near the BB. As far as I can remember I seem to recollect a rather deep stream crossing before all of this started. (sigh!) I guess I'll start with the chain first (seeing that it probably needs a new one anyway) and if that doesn't do it I'll have to pull the cranks and have a look at the BB (which should be an ISIS I suppose...bike came with 04, 05'(?)Shimano Hollow tech LX crank) I'll also take a good look at the chain ring bolts. Thanks guys

[Brizn]

I've never heard a chain 'creak', per se....though it would seem that you're due for a new one at 1.5 yrs! Be ready to drop dough on a new cassette as well ! It's probably the BB anyway...good luck.

[glader60]

Be ready to drop dough on a new cassette as well ! It's probably the BB anyway...good luck.

And the middle chainring might need replacing if the chain stretched too much, oh and the small chainring if you use it alot. measure the chain pin to pin for 1 foot and hope it only stretched 1/16" or less.

The creak to probably the bb since it got in the water.... :eek:

[ridethewomble]

I've found that some square taper crank/bb combinations will creak and crunch after water gets into the interface. It happens with my both my ENO, Kooka and Ritchey cranks with Race Face, Actiontec and Phil bottom brackets. When it gets noisy, I pull the crank, clean the spindle and the inside of the crank interface thoroughly, then put the crank back on again.

Great advice, Pete! I just pulled the creaky cranks on my 1988 (89?) (90?) Gary Fisher Montare commuter bike, cleaned the tapers and cranks, and put 'em back on. The horrible creaking is gone. :D

I thought it was just an old BB. The one in there is held in place by circlips! :eek: It was the grime, however. Incidentally, I torqued the crank bolts down with my torque wrench. I don't know the spec, and I don't want to engage in a long email dialog with Sheldon Brown to find out, so I just torqued 'em to 40 ft-lbs. I figured that was about the most my crappy twelve-point sockets could take. I was a little surprised how little torque I was able to apply with my regular socket handle. Moral of the story - use a torque wrench.

I thought the BB was shot, and used it as an excuse to upgrade to a Surly Cross Check. I already have a preferred customer card at Harris Cyclery, and thought, "this is getting ridiculous!" I guess there's no need to upgrade now. Oh right - it's too late! The Surly has already been ordered! :D

[Brizn]

So bikerRob, what's the word? 'dyou dig in yet?

[bikerRob]

So bikerRob, what's the word? 'dyou dig in yet?

8/09/06 >> Nope....I can't have both bikes being worked on at the same time..so, I decided to drop the other one at the shop to get the upgrades installed that I bought a couple weeks ago. This is what I get for putting things off.. :mad: ( Dumb Rob *whack*stupid Rob *whack* )...Making matters worse, I'm now the "Wanted Man" at work...*I need this done Rob, I need that done Rob*...(Shisssh)...Don't it figure, The weather is beautiful right now and tomorrow I have to come in early for a freaking meeting.. :rolleyes: I'll let you know what the problem is when I's get a chance....probably is the BB though (dirty, loose, etc. ) ( I did get a chance to measure the chain and it doesn't look stretched however the small chainring is suspect...looks a little rounded to me but I'll need someone else to give it a looksie to be sure.)

[tomn]

Do the cranks move laterally at all when you are pedaling hard under load, like when climbing? When I've heard a grinding noise it's usually because the BB is shot and needs replacement. In those cases, there is a noticeable give to the cranks that feels like a loose suspension pivot but is actually the BB giving out.

The squeak could also be loose crank bolts, I just had that with my middle chainring recently. I tightened them up and the squeak went away immediately.

[xrugger70]

Reading this thread and figured I would add this. I don't feel any wiggle or left and right play, though when cranking with power I year an interesting click/grnd [depepnding on how powerful the crank.] Would that also be the sign of a bad bottom bracket sealed bearing set, or does that mean it just needs lubrication? :confused:

[Brizn]

I don't feel any wiggle or left and right play, though when cranking with power I year an interesting click/grnd [depepnding on how powerful the crank.] Would that also be the sign of a bad bottom bracket sealed bearing set, or does that mean it just needs lubrication? :confused:Keep in mind that the crank and chainrings will flex with each down stroke....the more torque, the more flex. This flex can cause the chain to rub the front der and/or can cause loose BBs/chainring bolts to click. Also make sure pedal bolt/crank interface is proplery lubed and tighten cleats, etc. My bet is that 8x outta 10, a click or 'grind' noise is related to a loose/dirty/spent BB.

Best thing to do is take it all apart and clean, regrease, and rebuild with proper torque on all the bolts.