My crank arm is creaking

[cofty]

Hi

I've recently put in a new bottom bracket and crank arm / set on my specialised MTB but the the left arm (arm without the crank set) is incredibly creaky when I'm pedalling, particularly when I'm standing on my pedals / going up hill.

Anyone know why? I thought it may be the bearings and may be needs more grease. Or perhaps it needs tightening.

Cheers
Dan

 

[mickle]

It needs tightening, if it's not already furked that is.

 

[spandex]

1) welcome to CC

2) what BB do you have?

3) Did you but in the BB? If so was the BB cup in tight

4) Do up your crank bolt (Tight)


If you didn't put in the BB take the bike back to the shop that did and tell them to have a look.

 

[cofty]

Hi
1) Cheers!
2) BB was an shimano octalink 68mm casing and 111mm spindel.
3) I put it in with the help of an ex-bike shop worker, so think it was reasonably well installed. It was all very tightly fitted, but it may be worth having another go.
4) Yeah, may tighten it all again.

Cheers
Dan

 

[spandex]

Did you grease the splines on the BB if so Take off the cranks and degrease They don't need to be and it wont be helping.

 

[palinurus]

Did you grease the splines on the BB if so Take off the cranks and degrease They don't need to be and it wont be helping.

That's got my interest. Mainly because when I get a creaky crank I whop it off, clean the spindle and the hole up real nice, bung a bit of grease on and re-assemble (it does work, it's not like some sort of magic ritual to make the creak-witch nervous or whatever).

But maybe I don't need the grease. Maybe if I didn't grease they wouldn't start creaking after a while.

 

[hubgearfreak]

i always use grease when fitting crank to BB

 

[Gerry Attrick]

i always use grease when fitting crank to BB

Me too, unless it is the old square taper BB. Not good to grease those.

 

[spandex]

That's got my interest. Mainly because when I get a creaky crank I whop it off, clean the spindle and the hole up real nice, bung a bit of grease on and re-assemble (it does work, it's not like some sort of magic ritual to make the creak-witch nervous or whatever).

But maybe I don't need the grease. Maybe if I didn't grease they wouldn't start creaking after a while.

All the new BB's and cranks don't need any grease that is not already on it it makes it go sloppy/creaking

i always use grease when fitting crank to BB

The old and best square taper I put loads on (to mickle's dismay )

 

[hubgearfreak]

Me too, unless it is the old square taper BB. Not good to grease those.

i meant square taper - i don't have any bikes with the new things on

 

[hubgearfreak]

The old and best square taper

cottered cranks are better, BTW

 

[spandex]

I was thinking that Gerry was meaning the old cotter pin BB's and cranks??

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I was thinking that Gerry was meaning the old cotter pin BB's and cranks??

No, I meant the square taper type without cotters. I'd forgotten about cotters. Mrs A's ancient Raleigh Ebony has those.

 

[spandex]

The bike shop I worked in last year was still selling them?

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Raleigh Ebonys or cotters?