Crank Arm & Bottom Bracket

[Rooster1]

Well hello.

Having installed a new BB just 40 days or so ago an annoying and all too familiar noise appeared, the creaking of the left hand side of crankset.

Truth is, I can't actually believe it has failed so perhaps it has not!

I managed to take the left arm off yesterday and noticed that the shim between the bolts had moved about and was probably not doing anything.

At this time I wish to confess that I don't have a torque wrench with which to tighten anything.

So I put the crank arm back on and made sure the shim was in place.

My lunch ride started out very very noisily but after a few miles up hill it actually disappeared.

What the blazes!!!

Maybe its my 8 year old look keo pedals

I think I had better remove the crank arm and start over with the BB installation.

I have to sort it, driving me mad!

 

[smokeysmoo]

Have a look HERE.

You might be surprised by some of the places noises can come from.

Oh and forget about a torque wrench, you really don't need one IME.

 

[Rooster1]

Have a look HERE.

You might be surprised by some of the places noises can come from.

Oh and forget about a torque wrench, you really don't need one IME.

Blimey! Frame crack / creak amongst others. I think I have had most of these issues except the frame one.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Blimey! Frame crack / creak amongst others. I think I have had most of these issues except the frame one.

Ha it can get a bit scary but in reality it's normally something simple enough.

Reslistically the BB should be fine, so as you've mentioned your pedals already I'd start there as both pedals and cleats could be the issue.

 

[Rooster1]

Maybe I over tightened the plastic fixing bolt !!!

It was a pig to undo! Cries into tea.

 

[Cycleops]

Check the pedals are tight.

 

[Lonestar]

Yup click at the same spot all the time and this has been going on for a few thousand miles.dd.Even my crank arm failure last December didn't fix it.

 

[Rooster1]

SOLVED: The plastic shim between the crank bolts had disintegrated, the open gap between the bolts was making the noise. I have temporarily put a small metal washer in its place and it is silent. BB is fine! I wonder if I can source a replacement shim.

thanks all

 

[Rooster1]

NOT SOLVED: A metal washer was a stupid idea - Crank arm was loose on the way home and I have lost the flippin black plastic tightening nut. Have put a plastic shim in now, but will I be able to ride without the plastic nut??

 

[Rooster1]

I am missing this now - safe to ride without one ??

 

[youngoldbloke]

I think so its only to preload the crank before you tighten the 2 bolts. SJS have a good selection of spares including the shim with the pin https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/chainsets-shimano-spares/?page=5

 

[Rooster1]

My local LBS just gave me both the parts I need, in return I bought some energy drinks and snacks. Win Win.