Bottom Bracket Creak/Click

[andyt1980]

Hi,
My Boardman Team Carbon has developed an annoying creak in the Bottom Bracket when getting out of the saddle and putting the power down.
It's using a FSA PF30 BB which I believe is prone to creaking by design, I'm pretty sure the bike didnt creak when I first bought it 9 months ago so I'm not prepared to just 'live with it'. I've had the BB serviced but the creak still remains.The bearings still run smooth.

I can get an exact replacement BB for about £20 but I was wondering if anyone has tried one of those conversion BB's such as
the KCNC: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/bottom-brac ... oad-68-mm/ and had a creak free experience?.
If I did try one of these would I still be able to use my current FSA Gossamer chainset or would it have to be Shimano?.

Any advice much appreciated, thanks.

 

[Sharky]

May not be the BB where the noise is coming from, especially if you have just had it serviced. Have a look at the front wheel QR skewer. A little bit of greece on the skewer and ends may solve the noise?

 

[JtB]

If the bike only creaks when you shift your weight forward, are you sure it's not the spokes in the front wheel that are creaking.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I'd say it is unlikely to be the BB if it only happens when you are out of the saddle. I'd remove the stem clamp, clean the bars and the stem where they make contact and see if the click has gone after you refit. Worth trying Sharky's suggestion first though as it is simpler.

And remember Rule #1 - "Every damn click and creak sounds like it is coming from the bottom bracket."

 

[roadrash]

look here
http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html

 

[andyt1980]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I have read that skewers can cause creaks so I will have to try it but I'm not convinced its anything other than the BB, I've had someone ride next to me as I replicate the noise and they also seem to think its coming from the BB.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I have read that skewers can cause creaks so I will have to try it but I'm not convinced its anything other than the BB, I've had someone ride next to me as I replicate the noise and they also seem to think its coming from the BB.

The reason most noises sound like they come from the BB is that they occur when power is being applied through the machine and that happens as you push on the pedals. So you equate the noise with the pedal downstroke and automatically associate the noise with that area of the bike.

 

[Racing roadkill]

The PF30 design, has the bearings pressed up against a circlip, which is fitted against the shell. This circlip is responsible for a lot of the incidences of the dreaded 'creak'. Get a drift and a bearing press. Tap the bearings out of the frame. Have a look at the circlips. If they are corroded or broken, replace them. Press the bearings back in with the bearing press, and make sure they are flat against the frame. I've had this problem a few times with PF30 BB's. I've saved a lot of money by checking the circlips / wave washers, and not just replacing the whole shebang.

 

[User6179]

The PF30 design, has the bearings pressed up against a circlip, which is fitted against the shell. This circlip is responsible for a lot of the incidences of the dreaded 'creak'. Get a drift and a bearing press. Tap the bearings out of the frame. Have a look at the circlips. If they are corroded or broken, replace them. Press the bearings back in with the bearing press, and make sure they are flat against the frame. I've had this problem a few times with PF30 BB's. I've saved a lot of money by checking the circlips / wave washers, and not just replacing the whole shebang.

Is PF30 not same design as shimano PF , no circlips ?

BB30 has circlips like you mention .

 

[andyt1980]

The PF30 design, has the bearings pressed up against a circlip, which is fitted against the shell. This circlip is responsible for a lot of the incidences of the dreaded 'creak'. Get a drift and a bearing press. Tap the bearings out of the frame. Have a look at the circlips. If they are corroded or broken, replace them. Press the bearings back in with the bearing press, and make sure they are flat against the frame. I've had this problem a few times with PF30 BB's. I've saved a lot of money by checking the circlips / wave washers, and not just replacing the whole shebang.

Thanks but I believe circlips are only used in a BB30 BB, my PF30 just has bearings inside nylon cups that are pressed into the frame.

 

[User6179]

I'd say it is unlikely to be the BB if it only happens when you are out of the saddle. I'd remove the stem clamp, clean the bars and the stem where they make contact and see if the click has gone after you refit. Worth trying Sharky's suggestion first though as it is simpler.

And remember Rule #1 - "Every damn click and creak sounds like it is coming from the bottom bracket."

My Shimano PF only clicks when out the saddle as does my ht2 BB on my winter bike , I put it down to being a fat bast.....

 

[Racing roadkill]

Thanks but I believe circlips are only used in a BB30 BB, my PF30 just has bearings inside nylon cups that are pressed into the frame.

True.

 

[andyt1980]

Agree, try tightening both front and rear skewers.

If it continues ensure the bearings have some loctite around them when you fit them. If they are running fine as you say it might be slight movement of the bearing in the shell that can cause the creak. BB30 bearings are available for £4 each on ebay...

I've just greased and lubed front skewer, will do the rear one and then try and test it tomorrow.

Can the bearings be removed from the plastic cups without removing the cups though?. I'm not confident enough to bash out the cups (and dont have the tool), also would need a press to get them back in and again not confident enough to do that as they would need to be kept perfectly aligned with the BB shell.
If I end up replacing the BB I will have to take it to a LBS.

 

[Slick]

My Shimano PF only clicks when out the saddle as does my ht2 BB on my winter bike , I put it down to being a fat bast.....

I must admit, mine creaks a bit when I'm labouring up some of the steeper hills, so I was interested when I saw this thread. Unfortunately, being a fat bast...... was the only real thing that struck a chord with me.

 

[andyt1980]

ok, I greased/lubed both front and rear skewers went a ride today and the creak is still there. I'm pretty sure its not the stem/bar area because if I get out of the saddle and lean on the bars and move them left/right I dont get any creak, its only when I actually start pedalling it creaks.

So going back to my original question, has anyone replaced their FSA PF30 (68mm) BB with a different/better quality version and had better results?.