well, that's annoying (external BB questions)

[slowSSer]

so, anyone that rode near me on the SS love fest on Sunday heard quite possibly the most loud and annoying SS on the planet.

of this, I apologize.

so, it's a Race Face Atlas crank/bb setup with their fancy x-type external BB cups on a titanium frame.

the cups and cranks are tightened down properly, and all the spacers and washers are in the correct locations- this is per the destructions, Karl at the path, and a pic exchange with race face.

could i need ti-prep or something like lock-tite? the splined interface between the axle and crank arm is also greased.

other notes: the bike has been ridden exactly 2x since the 2007 counting coup, where it performed flawlessly for the whole race. it's got the stock thread lock "goop" on there as well.

it doesnt feel like the creak is at the pedal/crank interface at all, and it happens while seated or standing, so it's not the seatpost...besides that's a ti post in a ti frame....

help!

[pitmang1]

My Atlas makes alot of noise if I don't grease it up about every 100 miles.

[Red Hot Sloth]

Clean off the origional stuff from the threads and apply some anti-seize.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by Red Hot Sloth

Clean off the origional stuff from the threads and apply some anti-seize.

next question: can normal anti-seize be used or do i have to use ti-prep, which is an anti-seize?

Originally Posted by pitmang1

My Atlas makes alot of noise if I don't grease it up about every 100 miles.

that sucks. maybe i should go back to isis.

[Red Hot Sloth]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

next question: can normal anti-seize be used or do i have to use ti-prep, which is an anti-seize?

Not sure, but if it were myself, I would stick to the ti-prep. If it was being ridden on a regular basis it wouldn't seem unusual to need to do this, but some maintenance is time sensitve rather than use sensitive

[pitmang1]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

next question: can normal anti-seize be used or do i have to use ti-prep, which is an anti-seize?



that sucks. maybe i should go back to isis.

It only take about five minutes to pull it apart and put it back together, so I don't mind much. After years of bending square taper spindles, I'd rather re-grease than buy new BBs or spindles. Never fell for the Isis thing.

[Zippo]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

it doesnt feel like the creak is at the pedal/crank interface at all, and it happens while seated or standing....

Are you sure it's not the EBB creaking? (If you're running an EBB, that is...)

[Bryguy17]

also, it could be your rear brake rubbing. I had a problem with this on my bike and was chasing a 'crank squeak' for a week before i found out it was the rear end flexing enough to allow the rear brake to rub. might be worth checking if all else fails

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by Zippo

Are you sure it's not the EBB creaking? (If you're running an EBB, that is...)

nope- horizontal drop outs.

Originally Posted by Bryguy17

also, it could be your rear brake rubbing. I had a problem with this on my bike and was chasing a 'crank squeak' for a week before i found out it was the rear end flexing enough to allow the rear brake to rub. might be worth checking if all else fails

nope- i can physically feel the creaking in the cranks.

the brakes are an entirely different situation- the king ISO disc mount is on crooked.

[dstepper]

You stated the buike has not been used much last year. I would guess the bearings may have rusted, I would go out and by a set of Enduro Ceramic bearings and replace them.

Dean

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by dstepper

You stated the buike has not been used much last year. I would guess the bearings may have rusted, I would go out and by a set of Enduro Ceramic bearings and replace them.

Dean

it's also been garaged the entire time and there's still some of the original lube on the cranks in various places, so I sorta doubt that.

besides- what do a set of enduro's go for? and how rebuildable are the external cups?

thanks

[Abui]

Originally Posted by slowSSer

nope- i can physically feel the creaking in the cranks.

Can you make it creak without a chain? A "feel" from the rear can be passed along by a tight chain, makes it very hard to locate the source.

Dry chain? Chainring moving in the mount?

[RacinJason]

Try taking the chain off and pedaling standing up. If the sound continues pull both sides of the bb off and feel the bearings.
If they feel dry you will feel a grittiness.
Clean everything and regrease what you can by pulling of the bearing dust covers.
Sontimes I use an ultrasonic cleaner. But brake cleaner or degreaser works just don't get it on your bike frame or paint.
I re grease everything with boat axle grease its green. You can find it at pep boys we have been using it on bikes since 88-89 It last longer than other greases and can handle being submerged in water.
Then I put the bearing and cups back together.
Grease the threads with the same grease. Thread them back in. Torque bb. Then grease the shaft on the cranks before reinstalling them. Torque everything down. Then checking to make sure nothing on your cranks are rubbing on the frame. Also check your chain rings to make sure they are not moving.

Test it .

It should be silent. After all of this.

Good luck.

Let me know how it goes.

J