Crank Dry Squeak

[ChrisKH]

The crank arm or, pedal, or something on my Brompton is making a dry squeak when the RHS crank is between 3.00 o'clock and 6.00 o'clock and the vibration, though small is running through to the left hand crank. Was thinking I probably need to pull the lot apart and see if there's a problem but thought I would consult with the bike doctors here first.

I have a crank puller which fits, but have never doen any major work down there before. I don't think it's the pedals; they run freely on their spindle and I took them off and re-greased them and put them back yesterday.

Any thoughts?

 

[02GF74]

don't discount the pedals - even if they run smooth, you will put nowhere near the amount of force on them as when you are pedalling.,

but if the crea occurs in same position as you turn the crank, it is likley to be them or the bottom bracket.

I had horrendous creak on my bianchi - you could feel the clikc as you move the pedal to and fro and was convince it was my BB (I posted about this). It turned out the bolts holding the crank and come a bit loose or may not have been done up tightly enough in first place.

A spot of grease - there are 2 schools to grease or not to grease - I subscribe to the former and doing them up fixed it. The BB is the splined shimano one that from I read, casues all sorts of problems, unlike the square ended ones.

You should do the same, if the problem does not go away, then it is BB.

 

[ChrisKH]

The crank is square ended, not sure how that effects the scenario, but I'll definitely re-check the pedals. I've got another set of pedals and can change them over and see if there's any dramatic difference in the noise/vibration for starters.

I have checked the crank bolts and they are tighter than me. Which is saying something. So I don't think it's that.

 

[PpPete]

Creaks from "down there" can be hard to track down. I had one recently, couldnt track it down, all well lubed & nothing loose that I could find. Finally took the (square taper) BB & crankset right off and replaced it with Octalink.

A couple of weeks later I put the square taper BB & crankset on another bike.....no creak.

 

[fossyant]

Strip the lot - including chain rings - take off, refit. Remove cranks, remove BB - regrease and put back on. Even a slightly loose BB (even a cartridge one) will make a noise.

It's a funny area as noise transmits. Also check cleats are clean (depending on which ones you use) if any !