Regreasing bottom bracket

[lulubel]

My OH decided to take her road bike out in a thunder storm today - OK, it was barely raining when she went out, but we'd both seen the forecast and I (wisely) decided to stay home.

She rode along one road that had turned into a river so deep that her feet were in it, and she said there was a "grindy feeling" when she pedalled afterwards. I'm assuming water has got into the BB and washed the grease out.

How simple is it to re-grease? Do I need to take the whole thing out, get it dry, then grease and re-install?

 

[compo]

Is it a sealed unit or loose bearings. A sealed unit not a lot you can do.
Have you also checked the pedal bearings.

 

[lulubel]

Is it a sealed unit or loose bearings. A sealed unit not a lot you can do.
Have you also checked the pedal bearings.

I don't actually have a clue. It's never been replaced, so I'm also very much aware that it could be well and truly stuck in there. I've got a selection of tools from when I couldn't make up my mind what type of BB to use for the Surly, so I was hoping one of them would be the right one for it! If it's a sealed unit, it should be sealed, though, shouldn't it? ie, water can't get in. Or am I being a bit naive?

I haven't checked the pedal bearings. She told me the grinding was coming from the BB and I took that at face value. Pedal bearings would be easier, though, so I'll have a look at those first.

 

[compo]

You may find this useful.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Bicycl...bracket_overhaul#Identify_bottom_bracket_type

 

[HovR]

If it's a cup & cone bottom bracket (loose bearings) it's easy to service.

Simply unscrew the lockring (you can use the proper tool, or a large vice grip gently clamped on to the lock ring, although this may do some superficial damage) then unscrew the adjustable cup which you should be able to do by hand, or if not a large adjustable spanner will do the trick.

You'll now have access to the bearings and spindle - Just dry it out, remove the old grease, and then re-grease well (you can't have too much grease!).

If it's a sealed unit then they're not very user serviceable. Sealed bottom brackets are better sealed than loose bearings, but not necessarily sealed to the extent that you could submerge them in water with no issues. If this is the case then you'll most likely have to replace the whole unit, which will cost around £20 to £40 normally depending on the model.

The pictures at the top of this page will give you an idea on how to recognize each type of BB from the outside, and the tools needed to unscrew it.

 

[sidevalve]

They are better sealed than plain cup and cone but once the water in in there then they are stuffed, the old c&c jobs would be a simple clean and regrease. Ahh, the joys of modern technology.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

it may only a filthy chain.

 

[lulubel]

After some closer examination, I think it's the pedal bearings on the right pedal, which is a relief because I really wasn't looking forward to trying to extract the BB and get it back in again so she could ride the bike - all without having to order any spare parts or make an expensive trip to the lbs.

She was planning to replace the pedals, anyway, so she's decided now is a good time!

I've been getting some interesting noises from my new MTB as well, after I rode it through a flood at rather excessive speed today, so that will be getting a good clean, and hopefully that will solve my problem.