Creaky threaded BB
#1
• —
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,241
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10171 Post(s)
Liked 5,866 Times
in
3,157 Posts
Creaky threaded BB
Hi, mechanics.
I have standard, modern, Shimano "cups" threaded into a titanium shell on my commuting bike. All parts are relatively new. Since installation, the BB has gotten creaky every few months and responded to torquing back to spec, but no longer. I tried a heavy application of blue thread locker and then about three wraps of PTFE tape (cups still screwed in easily) when that didn't work. The tape helped, but didn't fix it.
What should I try now, more tape? Is there anything else?
Thanks.
I have standard, modern, Shimano "cups" threaded into a titanium shell on my commuting bike. All parts are relatively new. Since installation, the BB has gotten creaky every few months and responded to torquing back to spec, but no longer. I tried a heavy application of blue thread locker and then about three wraps of PTFE tape (cups still screwed in easily) when that didn't work. The tape helped, but didn't fix it.
What should I try now, more tape? Is there anything else?
Thanks.
#2
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6195 Post(s)
Liked 4,810 Times
in
3,318 Posts
Look elsewhere for the creak. Your work on the BB might just be incidental to the noise stopping and starting. Lately many have found their rear QR the culprit of BB noise they swore was coming from the BB. If you don't have a QR, there are plenty of other places for creaks to happen that the owners will swear is from the BB.
Likes For Iride01:
#3
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Sometimes the “creaking” can come from headset as the bike is torqued back-and-forth while peddling. Maybe that needs tightened up.
Dan
Dan
Likes For _ForceD_:
#4
• —
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,241
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10171 Post(s)
Liked 5,866 Times
in
3,157 Posts
Okay, forget it. Thanks.
#5
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,515
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,398 Times
in
2,057 Posts
A new one is only $20-30 dollars
Likes For dedhed:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
Front QR has gotten me before more than once.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,790
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3511 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times
in
1,775 Posts
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: NW Suburban Chicago
Posts: 107
Bikes: 2022 Specialized Creo E-Bike XXL with Custom Wheels, 1992 Serotta Colorado II with Dura Ace STI, 2021 Zinn Ti Clydesdale Team XXL with Ultegra Di2
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 39 Times
in
21 Posts
The OP stated that re-torquing temporarily solved it......I can see why he was frustrated......
Likes For 55tele:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 5,790
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3511 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times
in
1,775 Posts
Sometimes it's just not worth it to try and help someone.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
Likes For cxwrench:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,760
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1109 Post(s)
Liked 1,200 Times
in
760 Posts
Chain ring bolts
Pedal spindles
shoe/pedal interface
Cleat bolts
Seat post
Seat rails
quick releases
Check all of those things and report back. Without some control elimination and checking all can imitate BB creak, in mpy personal experience. As of course, can the BB itself, but it seems OP has made reasonable trouble shooting for that. Given that, instead of fixating on that, either get a new BB or go through the other stuff.
Pedal spindles
shoe/pedal interface
Cleat bolts
Seat post
Seat rails
quick releases
Check all of those things and report back. Without some control elimination and checking all can imitate BB creak, in mpy personal experience. As of course, can the BB itself, but it seems OP has made reasonable trouble shooting for that. Given that, instead of fixating on that, either get a new BB or go through the other stuff.