Creaking pedal

[Holdsworth]

This has been annoying me for the past couple of weeks and has gotten slightly worse in that time.

The right hand side pedal is making a loud creaking/clicking noise when I apply force to that side, it makes small movements that I can feel in my feet as well. I was thinking for ages that is was the BB but I have narrowed the noise down to that one pedal.

Is there anything I can do to stop the noise and any potential problems it may cause later? I am thinking simply taking it off, cleaning and lubing up again might help but I'd like some advice beforehand. It attached to the crank via a bolt with a hex key head as far as I can tell, should be simple enough to remove and refit with my limited tools.

I won't have the chance to take to the LBS until Friday or Saturday now and I need to commute on during the week, plus the CC is on next Sunday.

 

[rusky]

Sounds like the thread on the pedal needs greasing.

Give it a go, it's only a 5 min job. Nothing to loose really!

 

[Holdsworth]

Well it seems it is easier said than done!!!

The thing seems to be seized up, the thread won't budge at all and all that seems to happen is the allen key bends. I applied bike oil to the thread earlier in the day but still nothing.

I'll have to make do until I can to a bike shop and have them to do something, I don't even have any grease to re-lube anyway, just general bike oil so I'd have to wait even if I could get that pedal off.

 

[corshamjim]

I'm no expert, but could it be from where the crank is bolted to the bottom bracket? I had a similar problem with mine which I dealt with by removing the bolt, greasing it (not sure if I should have done that but did anyway) and replacing it good & tight.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Are you using clipless per chance?

 

[Holdsworth]

Are you using clipless per chance?

No they are bog standard metal flat pedals.

I am sure that it is the pedal that is the problem, the creaking and movement seems to originate from there. I will see if I can get the bike seen to on Wednesday, two out the three bike shops in Crewe are closed on that day and the one that is open isn't my preferred one.

 

[billy1561]

I have exactly the same issue oddly enough! Same peddle too.
I will strip it off tomorrow and take a look see if it is anything obvious. But first things first i bust two spokes a couple of days ago so the wheel is off ready for the LBS tommorrow am

 

[tyred]

Most pedal bearings can be rebuilt and you don't even need to remove the pedal from the crank if it's causing problems to do so. Spin the pedal and feel for grittiness in the bearings and check for free play. There should be an end cap on the outside which pops out to reveal a locknut, a tabbed washer and a bearing race. Unscrew the locknut, remove the washer(s) and unscrew the bearing race and slide the pedal of the spindle. Best do this over an old biscuit tin to catch the ball bearings. They will almost certainly be about 10 1/8" ball bearings on each side. Wash them in white spirits or get new ones, clean the bearing races on the spindle and inside the pedals, check for excessive wear, put some grease in, put the bearings back in on the side of the pedal which goes closest to the bike frame, the grease will keep them in place. Slide it back on to the spindle, pack some grease in the outer bearing cup, pop the ball bearings back in and thread on the cone. Set adjustment in a similar manner to wheel or bottom bracket bearing, put the washer back in place and re-fit the lock nut. Put the cover back on and the pedal should be as good as new.

If you do need to remove the pedal, ensure a good fitting spanner and hit it hard with a hammer as the shock will work wonders. Remember that pedals use left and right handed threads.

 

[Davidc]

It's unusual for an allen key to get removal started. You need a real spanner - usually 15mm - and often a piece of old steel pipe or tube. The threads on the right pedal are normal direction, left pedal are reversed. (right is right to remember it)

You can try stripping the bearings out and repacking them, but if there's a lot of movement the shell may be knackered.

The pedal bearings transmit all of the power from your legs and the whole assembly is prone to damage if you leave them for long once they get worn, so you may find replacement is the sensible option. Basic flat pedals are quite cheap.

 

[Holdsworth]

Ok then, I'll take the bike into the LBS to get the pedals replaced. I best not skimp on such an important component, especially not before the CC this weekend. I was hoping to have a good 50 miler tomorrow morning but I probably should get the pedals fixed first, lest I lose my pedals in the middle of rural Cheshire!!!

 

[som3blok3]

Just a small note, I threw £200 at my bike to get rid of a creaky pedal/BB. Turns out it was a loose seat post/saddle. Also only happened on the right side.

For the fact your pedal feels loose, maybe not.

Just a note.

 

[Davidc]

Ok then, I'll take the bike into the LBS to get the pedals replaced. I best not skimp on such an important component, especially not before the CC this weekend. I was hoping to have a good 50 miler tomorrow morning but I probably should get the pedals fixed first, lest I lose my pedals in the middle of rural Cheshire!!!

I've never heard of pedals actually falling off!

They are one of the easiest things on a bike to replace - all you need is a spanner and either tyred's hammer or my 18" piece of old gas pipe! Oh and of course some new pedals to put back on afterwards.

Do grease the threads on the new ones - makes fitting and removal really easy.

 

[Holdsworth]

I have gone and bought a pair of flat pedals from the LBS on the presumption that they were the problem, but he refused to fit them for me saying he was too busy.... again!!!

Just removing the old ones though is proving to be a real struggle, they are seized to the crank and no amount of effort is making them budge. I have no pipe available to up the torque so I am limited to using an adjustable wrench and a claw hammer. No luck so far, I only seem to be able to move the bike itself and not the pedal thread.

I might go out and buy some wd-40 to eat through the corrosion or whatever that is keeping it in place.

Any tips would be much appreciated

P.S I will also have a look at the seat clamp to see that is loose and causing the problem. I swear it is that pedal though, that creaking sound and movement that I can feel seem to originate from there but then it could all be an illusion.

 

[tyred]

Careful using an adjustable spanner for something like this. They can slip. I would strongly recommend using a proper spanner. Dedicated pedal spanners are available or a normal open ended spanner. Pedals are virtually always 15mm, the only exception I've come across are the pedals on my old Peugeot road bike which take an 18mm, but old French bikes are famous for having odd parts.

 

[Holdsworth]

The pedals that are fitted ATM take an 18mm spanner and I can't seem to find one in that size lying around.