REALLY annoying click from the cranks

[Bigtallfatbloke]

...on the last day of my tour this click developed..it got progressively worse. Only when I pedal and I think it's coming from the left crank arm area. It only seems to occure when the bike is fully loaded though. ..I cleaned the bike thouroughly on my return ...but it still clicks...so what next? Couls this be a bearing/bottom bracket issue? I mean it has been lugging me and a load up some hefty hills recently

 

[Perry]

3:01AM - so, I'm not the only one who cant sleep then.

 

[zimzum42]

3am, that's 10am in Singapore! Already at work!

 

[Perry]

BTFB, You are a lot more experienced than me.

My suggestion is after the usual tightening of the nut and it still clicks, it's worth removing the crank to have a good look to see what is making the noise.

It just my 2 pence worth.

 

[Mr Pig]

Make sure the pedals are tight and the bearings are good. Check the chain rings are tight and not too worn and if it's not that my bet would be the bottom bracket.

 

[dodgy]

Do as User says, disassembly followed by reassembly cures 95% of known annoyances. However, it's amazing how creaks on a bike can be hard to pin down. It's quite common for what was initially diagnosed as a bottom bracket issue to actually be a problem with the seat/seat tube interface. Again, reassemble usually fixes it.

Go over your bike with a set of allen keys and loosen and retighten all bolts, if that doesn't fix it, follow Mr Paul's advice.

Dave.

 

[yenrod]

I once changed the BB on my bike as it simply wasn't right with a spare.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

Ta..I will try to get the cranks off but I dont have a 'crank pulling ' tool....as shown in the bicycle tutor video

 

[dodgy]

Another advantage of splined cranks, all you need is an allen key

Dave.

 

[palinurus]

Does it click when you get out of the saddle too? if not check that's on tight.

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

no it's only when peddleing and only when loaded up...unloaded its ok. the noise is definatly from the crank/ BB area

 

[beanzontoast]

My guess would be the BB (or the BB shell threads, which really would be bad news...).

But check the cranks - and the pedals (in case a bearing is going) first.

 

[betty swollocks]

Try simple thing first. Tighten pedal. Bet this works.
R/H pedal tightens clockwise. L/H pedal tightens anticlockwise

 

[fossyant]

Noise travels, so you need to undo the lot, re-grease and re-assemble - including chain rings, pedals, cranks and BB. Takes an hour or so max with the right tools, and you'll not get any more trouble, unless something breaks.

Any play in the BB that is noticeable ?

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I took all the screws etc (I am competent to) on the bike apart and lubed them and replaced them. The click has gone, however i can still feel something odd when I push down on my left foot. I havent got a tool to remove the cranks so I havent touched the cranks or the BB...just given everything a GOOD clean up externally.

How would I remove the cranks then...is there a special toool I need ? I have a shimano deore crankset.