Crank and spindle greasing

[Mick54]

It may sound like a stupid question,its been many years since i stripped down the bearings in the spindles etc but how often would you need to strip down and grease bearings on modern bikes,i,m only doing around 70 miles a week at the moment but i want the bike in good running order for a charity ride later in the year

 

[Gunk]

Unless it has significant play in it, I’d just leave it alone.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Modern cartridge bearings units are sealed. I've never bothered touching them and it's caused no issues.

 

[Mick54]

Modern cartridge bearings units are sealed. I've never bothered touching them and it's caused no issues.

Many thanks for your reply 👍

 

[Racing roadkill]

It may sound like a stupid question,its been many years since i stripped down the bearings in the spindles etc but how often would you need to strip down and grease bearings on modern bikes,i,m only doing around 70 miles a week at the moment but i want the bike in good running order for a charity ride later in the year

When they start creaking / clicking.

 

[tyred]

If they have no play or no tight spots or grittiness, leave it alone - if it ain't broke, don't mend it.

 

[gbb]

What BB system is fitted to your bike Mick54 ?

 

[Cycleops]

I'm assuming that as you said it's been many years since you stripped and greased the bearings you have a old style square taper BB with seperate bearings.
If you want you could go over the sealed square taper type of you want to avoid future maintenance. About £15 I think.

 

[Pale Rider]

A linked - or possibly included - question is whether or not to grease the square taper before fitting the cranks.

I've read/heard reliable sounding opinions for both options.

Last time I did one, I opted for a weedy British compromise of putting a tiny bit of grease on hoping nobody was looking.

 

[Cycleops]

I have read in maintenance manuals that putting grease on the square spindles is not advisable as it will cause the crank to pulled further on to taper than should be. Don't know about that but I can see no advantage to doing it as a good crank puller should be able to deal with any stubborn crank.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I have read in maintenance manuals that putting grease on the square spindles is not advisable as it will cause the crank to pulled further on to taper than should be. Don't know about that but I can see no advantage to doing it as a good crank puller should be able to deal with any stubborn crank.

I've always put the cranks on dry. There have been several threads on here on the subject, though not recently.

 

[faster]

Always grease the taper!

Not so much to help you with removal next time you take it off, but to ensure it goes on properly.

 

[roley poley]

a tiny bit is ok on the faces .My tip is to make sure the threads are clean on your extractor and cranks before removal (a bit of degreaser on a tooth brush) as any cause of misalignment or cross threading at that stage may well ruin your next step, your parts,your day and your street cred

 

[Smokin Joe]

Campag recommend putting grease on the tapers then wiping it off, leaving a thin film.

 

[Blue Hills]

Campag recommend putting grease on the tapers then wiping it off, leaving a thin film.

I think that's similar to pale rider's approach to tell the truth

This grease you apply then remove/dump - is it campag branded?

I'll keep on greasing.