Sealed BB, how long do they last?

[oldgreyandslow]

I'm getting some odd creaks from the BB area especially when pressing on, the BB seems OK when I try to detect any play in it by hand, however this doesn't replicate the forces exterded on it during riding.

It's an "old" Campag Mirage BB been on the bike since new, circa 1990 ish.

Should it still be OK or should I be looking to replace?

If a replacement is recommended I am finding a direct replacement very difficult to locate.

Ta

 

[simon_brooke]

Twenty years old, it doesn't owe you much; and low-end Campag BBs are cheap. Try a new one and see if it fixes it. But I wouldn't be surprised if the creaking is actually the seatpost - it often sounds as if seatpost creaking comes from the BB.

 

[GrahamG]

Don't worry about a campag replacement - just measure the axle and ensure that any replacement you buy is ISO taper rather than JIS taper (different standards, can't remember the acronyms exactly).
That said, check all the ususal suspects first i.e. grease BB tapers, tighten chainring bolts & crank bolts, grease pedal threads etc. etc.