Clicking and creaking noise when pedalling uphill or under load...

[Mazz]

UPDATE: First ride in today, after I changed the BB.

Apart from the old BB making creaking/clicking noises uphill and under load, I didn't realise how much 'general noise' the bike was making. I guess over the years, I'd just become accustomed to it.

Wow, what a difference this morning! I kept thinking 'Are my ears blocked?' because it was super quiet - I just couldn't believe it.

 

[LeandroF]

Great result — nothing beats that first quiet ride after chasing a creak. Mine went the opposite way: clicking under load turned out to be a tired chain plus a slightly bent hanger, picked up at a service in February with about 780 km on the clock. New e-bike chain, new hanger and a derailleur and it went silent. The mechanic's take was that a mid-drive finds every weak link in the drivetrain sooner than legs alone, which tallied with what I was seeing. One cheap check worth keeping for the future: rock the cranks laterally with the bike leaning against a wall now and then to rule out any remaining play, and a chain-wear checker costs a tenner and tells you in seconds whether the chain's part of it.

 

[Mazz]

Shimano spec for the SM-BBR60 recommends torque of 35-50Nm.
How are you meant to torque up to that value if you've got a BB tool like this?

 

[brommieinkorea]

Shimano spec for the SM-BBR60 recommends torque of 35-50Nm.
How are you meant to torque up to that value if you've got a BB tool like this?
View attachment 825050

Are there not BB tools that fit to the square drive end of a ratchet ?

 

[Mazz]

Are there not BB tools that fit to the square drive end of a ratchet ?

No idea, but the tool I've got is like the one in the picture.

In the end, I tested how much approximate "strength" I needed when using my torque wrench on a bolt and scrap piece of wood. Then I applied that much strength when torquing up the BB. All a bit rough and ready, to be honest.

 

[C R]

Are there not BB tools that fit to the square drive end of a ratchet ?

Yes. I use one with a wheel brace.

 

[Mazz]

Yes. I use one with a wheel brace.

What sort of bottom bracket spanner have you got?

 

[Jenkins]

Shimano spec for the SM-BBR60 recommends torque of 35-50Nm.
How are you meant to torque up to that value if you've got a BB tool like this?
View attachment 825050

Push down. Very hard.

 

[Mazz]

Push down. Very hard.

How would you know that's in the range 35-50 Nm?

 

[C R]

What sort of bottom bracket spanner have you got?

I have an older model of this one (I'm sure I didn't pay anywhere near as much as that for it)
https://ebay.io/m/cLC6Aw
And a brace like this one
https://ebay.io/m/c4E0yN

Seems to work fine.

 

[C R]

How would you know that's in the range 35-50 Nm?

I don't think it really matters.

 

[Mazz]

I have an older model of this one (I'm sure I didn't pay anywhere near as much as that for it)
https://ebay.io/m/cLC6Aw
And a brace like this one
https://ebay.io/m/c4E0yN

Seems to work fine.

Gotya, I should've got one of those - so much easier getting the torque correct, and no messing around with silly plastic adapters either!

 

[C R]

Gotya, I should've got on of those - so much easier getting the torque correct, and no messing around with silly plastic adapters either!

They are not the easiest thing to keep engaged as you try to tighten the thing, though.

 

[Jenkins]

How would you know that's in the range 35-50 Nm?

No idea. I have the same BB tool and it's always worked for me. None have come loose and all have been removed with a similar very hard push in the other direction. Helped by using a small smear of Copaslip on the threads when fitting.

 

[Mazz]

They are not the easiest thing to keep engaged as you try to tighten the thing, though.

Yes, I can see where you're coming from, as the wrench/brace would not be directly above the BB as you rotate it.