Creeking cranks

[Bombtrack]

Does anyone have this problem? I've always had to take my bottom bracket out and grease the crap out of it to make it stop "creeking". I even tried teflon tape on the threads. If it makes the noise on the trails I pour water over the BB and it goes away for a while. Its a new xt BB installed in an 03 Specialized Enduro. Does anyone have a permanent cure for this?

[northshore]

Originally Posted by Bombtrack

Does anyone have this problem? I've always had to take my bottom bracket out and grease the crap out of it to make it stop "creeking". I even tried teflon tape on the threads. If it makes the noise on the trails I pour water over the BB and it goes away for a while. Its a new xt BB installed in an 03 Specialized Enduro. Does anyone have a permanent cure for this?

hmmmmm I just made sure I had a good amount of grease, the housing was clean, and it was torqued correctly. Did you make sure your cranks are on correctly and torqued? Maybe it's just a bad BB by chance?

[slowSSer]

well, what sort of interface does the crank have with the BB? if it's isis, grease away! if square taper, grease is a major no-no.

(this is a cause for debate, btw)

[ArrrKelly]

Did you check your pedals and your chainring bolts?

[Jay]

I have had that problem on most of my bikes. I usually just service my BB and cranks often. Also, making sure the crank bolt is torqued correctly before every ride helps out.

[El Rolo]

If you have eliminated crank and chain ring bolts, it could be your bottom bracket bearings. I have had the problem on two of my older bikes, and when the teflon tape did not solve the problem it was always the bottom bracket itself. R&R - remove and replace.

[ShinKen]

have u cleaned your chain latelly? if u dont want any noise u could go One gear only!! quick fix!! or just ride road b/c dirt and mudd will get ya every time!!! must clean often to keep bike in good shape!!

[DeeZee]

for reminding me why I love the Outboard Bearing stuff so much

Oh.... sorry

as others have posted check the chainring bolts and pedals

[Bombtrack]

its an XT BB with maybe 100 miles on it hooked up to 03 LX cranks. Its not a square taper. I think it an isis style. Anyone know how much torque is needed for the BB and crank arm?

[SAR_boats]

If the cranks are used but the BB isn't it is possible that the area where the axle inserts into the crank arms is slightly worn. If replacing the crank arms isn't going to work for you try putting one to two wraps of PTFE tape around the axle where the crank usually sits. This will fill in any tiny gaps between the two and should help. (Isis or quare taper only)

If it is external, try removing the cranks, ensure the BB is tight and re-install the cranks

[strobelite]

sounds like you have octalink bb. remove the crankarm bolts, but not the crankarm itself. wiggle it. if it is the arm-spindle interface, you should get play. also, have you faced your bb shell? could be uneven paint or lazy machening (spell?) not letting the bb sit flush.

[CalEpic]

I'll second the idea about the bottom bracket shell needing to be faced. (after eliminating chainring bolts and pedals)

C

[boludo]

just go buy a new ironhorse

[Shu]

I had a similar problem and it wasn't my cranks at all...it was the lower pivot creeking....I thought mine was the cranks too b/c it only happened on the down stroke(most noticable)....I pulled out the lower pivot...cleaned it up w/ a thin coat of water proof grease and never had a problem again.....wouldn't hurt to give that a shot...it might just surprise you...

[Bombtrack]

Well I found my problem. Thanks all for your help and advise. I went to service the BB and found that the BB collars were loose. Yup simple as that. I just services the BB not to long ago thats why I thought it was something else. I put some locktite on the threads now I hope I can remove them. At the end of the day, theres no more creeking. Thanks again. =]

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Bombtrack

Well I found my problem. Thanks all for your help and advise. I went to service the BB and found that the BB collars were loose. Yup simple as that. I just services the BB not to long ago thats why I thought it was something else. I put some locktite on the threads now I hope I can remove them. At the end of the day, theres no more creeking. Thanks again. =]

you used the Blue loctite correct?