Loose/wobbly BB on Schwinn SS BSO

[jarlrmai]

The cheap Schwinn BSO that I bought as my N+1 to ride the 1-2 miles to work and to the pub and not care about getting it nicked has got a wobbly BB/Crank about 5-7 mm of play but will probably get worse, can I tighten it or do I need a new BB etc?

 

[compo]

Depends what type of BB. If it is the older style cup and cone type then yes, you can readjust it but if it is a cartridge type then no, once it gets play it is shot. Even if a cup and cone type I would pull it all out and replace with a cartridge.

 

[PpPete]

If the BB is wobbling in the frame or is in any way not smooth I'd certainly second the advice to put in a cartridge BB, but if the crank is wobbling on the exsting BB spindle then the square hole in the crank will no longer be square enough. No amount of tighteninng will ever be enough. Fotunately this is more likely to be the left crank - you can get a cheapo one off ebay to replace for that usage..

 

[Gravity Aided]

Does it have the Armstrong crank (1 piece) or 3 piece crank?