Weird Astablula crank problem
10-23-20, 08:02 AM
#1
Velocommuter Commando
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Weird Astablula crank problem
I have a cruiser that when the cranks are cranked backwards they feel tight; however, they spin fine in the forward direction. Is this normal for Ashtabula cranks? What should I be looking at so that the crank spins freely in either direction?
Thanks
Thanks
10-23-20, 08:14 AM
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I'd begin by determining whether the problem is in the bottom bracket or elsewhere.
Drop the chain off the chainring. If the problem goes away, investigate the rear hub next.
If the problem persists, disassemble the bottom bracket (look for YouTube videos for guidance) and look for problems there (scored bearing races, damaged or missing bearings or bearing retainers).
Drop the chain off the chainring. If the problem goes away, investigate the rear hub next.
If the problem persists, disassemble the bottom bracket (look for YouTube videos for guidance) and look for problems there (scored bearing races, damaged or missing bearings or bearing retainers).
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10-23-20, 08:14 AM
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Do you plan to spend a lot of time turning your cranks backwards for some reason? Never Fix A Running Piece.
10-23-20, 08:48 AM
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Yeah, drop the chain. It's been so long since I've seen a one-piece crank I can't remember how the adjustments work on them. Watch the stuff on the left side of the crank as you turn it in one direction then the other. Make certain the left cone under the lock nut is always moving the same as everything else. If it is in the crank and it's not because it is rusted up, falling apart inside and jamming itself, then a loose lock nut allowing the cone race to turn is probably about all it can be.
Just to be snarky.... it's not a coaster brake bike is it?
Just to be snarky.... it's not a coaster brake bike is it?
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10-23-20, 09:23 AM
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That was my first thought, Ashtabula & Cruiser. Though the OP has been around since 2007 so I figured he would know...
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10-23-20, 03:26 PM
#6
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It's my '80s Schwinn cruiser.
10-23-20, 03:48 PM
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10-23-20, 04:07 PM
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10-24-20, 06:07 AM
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What markings are on the rear hub?
10-24-20, 10:18 AM
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I find it rather unhelpful when a poster states the bike brand/model with either no link to specs of no listing of specs, especially in this OP's case when he has been asked directly about a spec. Andy (who feels it's the asker's job to provide data on their bike, not the reader's job to search the data out)
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10-24-20, 10:28 AM
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I began to suspect coaster brake at the mention of single piece crank.
10-24-20, 11:28 AM
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Pic assist...
Check the alignment on your derailleur.
Check the alignment on your derailleur.
10-24-20, 11:38 AM
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I'm going to regret making a guess without seeing a pic, but here goes. Maybe one of the bearing cones is loose and it's threading in and out upon being rotated. In any event an Ashtabula crank is so easy to service that it shouldn't be feared. Park Tool website has a good tutorial.
10-26-20, 10:05 PM
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I'm going to regret making a guess without seeing a pic, but here goes. Maybe one of the bearing cones is loose and it's threading in and out upon being rotated. In any event an Ashtabula crank is so easy to service that it shouldn't be feared. Park Tool website has a good tutorial.
If it were my bike I'd take the crank apart and clean and regrease the bearings at very least.
Pointer to the Park Tool article: https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...vice-one-piece Kudos to Park Tool for using a Schwinn Super Sport as their example over a common-as-cockroaches Varsity.
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10-27-20, 06:29 AM
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Agreed. The cone and locknut on the left side of an Ashtabula crank are left-hand threaded. If the locknut is loose and the bearings have a bunch of drag they could tighten up when spun backwards.
If it were my bike I'd take the crank apart and clean and regrease the bearings at very least.
Pointer to the Park Tool article: https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...vice-one-piece Kudos to Park Tool for using a Schwinn Super Sport as their example over a common-as-cockroaches Varsity.
If it were my bike I'd take the crank apart and clean and regrease the bearings at very least.
Pointer to the Park Tool article: https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...vice-one-piece Kudos to Park Tool for using a Schwinn Super Sport as their example over a common-as-cockroaches Varsity.
My winter beater is a '72 Varsity, but I appreciate the sentiment. I got the frame from a flipper who had too many frames, and it was quite worn and weathered, but the bearings are still in great shape.
10-27-20, 08:55 PM
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That's a great tutorial. I like the fact that they tell you not to expect a perfect bearing. My only minor quibble is that you don't need that big pin spanner, as the cup will usually yield to being pushed with a screwdriver. We always rebuilt our cranks with just a crescent wrench.
My winter beater is a '72 Varsity, but I appreciate the sentiment. I got the frame from a flipper who had too many frames, and it was quite worn and weathered, but the bearings are still in great shape.
My winter beater is a '72 Varsity, but I appreciate the sentiment. I got the frame from a flipper who had too many frames, and it was quite worn and weathered, but the bearings are still in great shape.
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Last edited by Jeff Wills; 10-30-20 at 11:07 PM.
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10-29-20, 12:33 AM
#17
Velocommuter Commando
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No this was originally a 5 speed and I wouldn't yank anyone's chain. I did sort of figure part of it out. The drive side bearings had shed themselves into the bottom bracket shell. When the cranks backpedaled it allowed the adjusters to tighten up.
10-29-20, 07:50 AM
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Glad you got it figured out.
