Mercier Kilo TT Repair / Build
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Mercier Kilo TT Repair / Build
I was recently given a Mercier Kilo TT by a friend and am currently in the process of fixing it up.
It is missing handlebars, brakes, seat and needs crank adjustment.
I think I can figure out most things searching the forum but I am having trouble with the cranks. Currently, they do not line up. They are almost completely perpendicular instead of being parallel with each other.
Any idea how to fix this?
Photo - drive.google.com/file/d/1Jq47OUm2Kc72foQosRtcVh63_JWDIu0H/view?usp=sharing
It is missing handlebars, brakes, seat and needs crank adjustment.
I think I can figure out most things searching the forum but I am having trouble with the cranks. Currently, they do not line up. They are almost completely perpendicular instead of being parallel with each other.
Any idea how to fix this?
Photo - drive.google.com/file/d/1Jq47OUm2Kc72foQosRtcVh63_JWDIu0H/view?usp=sharing
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Pull the non-drive side crank arm off and replace it in the correct orientation.
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So... I decided to grab an allen wrench and jump right in.
However, after removing the cranks and having a little trouble getting them exactly parallel with each other, I noticed that the teeth inside of the crank seem to be somewhat worn down. Is this normal? Or is this the reason they were slipping?
Photos - drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UWVtPWDkQOyqYxkyzAGdF32lALY7lngy?usp=sharing
Really appreciate any help!
However, after removing the cranks and having a little trouble getting them exactly parallel with each other, I noticed that the teeth inside of the crank seem to be somewhat worn down. Is this normal? Or is this the reason they were slipping?
Photos - drive.google.com/drive/folders/1UWVtPWDkQOyqYxkyzAGdF32lALY7lngy?usp=sharing
Really appreciate any help!
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What is the crankset and model #?
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It's a Powerspline bottom bracket in your photo.
It sounds like time for a replacement crank arm.
It sounds like time for a replacement crank arm.
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Don't let me talk you out of replacing the whole thing if you are looking for an excuse...
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The splined shaft and bearings inside the frame are considered to be the Bottom Bracket assembly (BB).
The BB splined shaft is steel and unlikely to have been damaged by the softer aluminium crank arms or more specifically the teeth/splines inside those crank arms.
Not fitting (torquing) a crank arm correctly can result in it spinning on the splined shaft and damaging the soft aluminium splines/teeth in the crank arm.
Riding a loose crank will accelerate the damage.
I'd suggest cleaning those splines on the shaft and crank arms. Then inspecting the crank splines for damage.
Given that you suffered some spinning it is likely you have damage inside one or both crank arms.
If the damage is limited to the Non Drive Side (NDS) (the side without the chain ring) then replacing just that crank could be a cheap fix.
If your inspection shows damage on the Drive Side (DS), well... time to pay up.
Whatever you choose to do regarding parts, do get the correct torque when performing the reassembly.
If I'm correct, it looks like about 30 foot/pounds. You are unlikely to achieve that using a ~6" allen wrench.
All the best
Barry
The BB splined shaft is steel and unlikely to have been damaged by the softer aluminium crank arms or more specifically the teeth/splines inside those crank arms.
Not fitting (torquing) a crank arm correctly can result in it spinning on the splined shaft and damaging the soft aluminium splines/teeth in the crank arm.
Riding a loose crank will accelerate the damage.
I'd suggest cleaning those splines on the shaft and crank arms. Then inspecting the crank splines for damage.
Given that you suffered some spinning it is likely you have damage inside one or both crank arms.
If the damage is limited to the Non Drive Side (NDS) (the side without the chain ring) then replacing just that crank could be a cheap fix.
If your inspection shows damage on the Drive Side (DS), well... time to pay up.
Whatever you choose to do regarding parts, do get the correct torque when performing the reassembly.
If I'm correct, it looks like about 30 foot/pounds. You are unlikely to achieve that using a ~6" allen wrench.
All the best
Barry
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The splined shaft and bearings inside the frame are considered to be the Bottom Bracket assembly (BB).
The BB splined shaft is steel and unlikely to have been damaged by the softer aluminium crank arms or more specifically the teeth/splines inside those crank arms.
Not fitting (torquing) a crank arm correctly can result in it spinning on the splined shaft and damaging the soft aluminium splines/teeth in the crank arm.
Riding a loose crank will accelerate the damage.
I'd suggest cleaning those splines on the shaft and crank arms. Then inspecting the crank splines for damage.
Given that you suffered some spinning it is likely you have damage inside one or both crank arms.
If the damage is limited to the Non Drive Side (NDS) (the side without the chain ring) then replacing just that crank could be a cheap fix.
If your inspection shows damage on the Drive Side (DS), well... time to pay up.
Whatever you choose to do regarding parts, do get the correct torque when performing the reassembly.
If I'm correct, it looks like about 30 foot/pounds. You are unlikely to achieve that using a ~6" allen wrench.
All the best
Barry
The BB splined shaft is steel and unlikely to have been damaged by the softer aluminium crank arms or more specifically the teeth/splines inside those crank arms.
Not fitting (torquing) a crank arm correctly can result in it spinning on the splined shaft and damaging the soft aluminium splines/teeth in the crank arm.
Riding a loose crank will accelerate the damage.
I'd suggest cleaning those splines on the shaft and crank arms. Then inspecting the crank splines for damage.
Given that you suffered some spinning it is likely you have damage inside one or both crank arms.
If the damage is limited to the Non Drive Side (NDS) (the side without the chain ring) then replacing just that crank could be a cheap fix.
If your inspection shows damage on the Drive Side (DS), well... time to pay up.
Whatever you choose to do regarding parts, do get the correct torque when performing the reassembly.
If I'm correct, it looks like about 30 foot/pounds. You are unlikely to achieve that using a ~6" allen wrench.
All the best
Barry
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BB wear occurs in the bearings inside the frame.
It's not possible to judge from a picture.
Twist the shaft with your fingers, Does it feel smooth, does it bind up at all, does it have any play in it.
Even these tests are only an indication. It may be issues when actually under load.
Go look at your cranks first and determine if you are going to need to replace one or both.
It's possible the replacement cranks (if required) may require an entirely different BB. It may even come with one as a package.
Barry
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As I said the BB teeth/splines are inlikely to have been damaged.
BB wear occurs in the bearings inside the frame.
It's not possible to judge from a picture.
Twist the shaft with your fingers, Does it feel smooth, does it bind up at all, does it have any play in it.
Even these tests are only an indication. It may be issues when actually under load.
Go look at your cranks first and determine if you are going to need to replace one or both.
It's possible the replacement cranks (if required) may require an entirely different BB. It may even come with one as a package.
Barry
BB wear occurs in the bearings inside the frame.
It's not possible to judge from a picture.
Twist the shaft with your fingers, Does it feel smooth, does it bind up at all, does it have any play in it.
Even these tests are only an indication. It may be issues when actually under load.
Go look at your cranks first and determine if you are going to need to replace one or both.
It's possible the replacement cranks (if required) may require an entirely different BB. It may even come with one as a package.
Barry
The Drive Side Crank appears to be in good shape as well. I did not completely disassemble it but I used an allen and took off the cap and inspected the teeth inside. They seem in great shape and there is absolutely no play between the DS and BB.
Here are some photos of the NDS crank. My knowledge here is limited but the teeth do not seem to show excessive wear (?).
There is some wear to the interior (see second photo) but I don't know if this matters or not.
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The "is some wear to the interior"..... is where the teeth used to, and are supposed to, be!
The teeth/splines are GONE in that crank
That sir is a dead crank.
The remaining teeth are furthest away from the BB and don't actually engage with the splines in the BB shaft. Which is why they are still there.
Assuming the DS has not suffered the same fate, you now know which side needs replacement.
All the best
Barry
The teeth/splines are GONE in that crank
That sir is a dead crank.
The remaining teeth are furthest away from the BB and don't actually engage with the splines in the BB shaft. Which is why they are still there.
Assuming the DS has not suffered the same fate, you now know which side needs replacement.
All the best
Barry
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The "is some wear to the interior"..... is where the teeth used to, and are supposed to, be!
The teeth/splines are GONE in that crank
That sir is a dead crank.
The remaining teeth are furthest away from the BB and don't actually engage with the splines in the BB shaft. Which is why they are still there.
Assuming the DS has not suffered the same fate, you now know which side needs replacement.
All the best
Barry
The teeth/splines are GONE in that crank
That sir is a dead crank.
The remaining teeth are furthest away from the BB and don't actually engage with the splines in the BB shaft. Which is why they are still there.
Assuming the DS has not suffered the same fate, you now know which side needs replacement.
All the best
Barry
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The "is some wear to the interior"..... is where the teeth used to, and are supposed to, be!
The teeth/splines are GONE in that crank
That sir is a dead crank.
The remaining teeth are furthest away from the BB and don't actually engage with the splines in the BB shaft. Which is why they are still there.
Assuming the DS has not suffered the same fate, you now know which side needs replacement.
All the best
Barry
The teeth/splines are GONE in that crank
That sir is a dead crank.
The remaining teeth are furthest away from the BB and don't actually engage with the splines in the BB shaft. Which is why they are still there.
Assuming the DS has not suffered the same fate, you now know which side needs replacement.
All the best
Barry
How would I check the DS crank? There isn't any play in it but want to be thorough. Do I need a crank puller?
This is all really helpful. Appreciate it. Hope I'm not boring you all too much!
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But it's worth a try.
Although dedhed appears to be a man of few words, the link he provided is great!
Looks like it may prove to be just what you need. HOWEVER, you will need to check with someone in the know for Truactiv.
I'm more a Shimano kinda guy.
Even my fixed is shimano.
All the best
Barry
BTW on the inside of the crank will be a length in mm.
Usually between 165mm and 170mm
You will need to buy the correct length replacement crank.
Last edited by Barry2; 08-08-20 at 07:06 PM.