New threaded bottom bracket is squeaking - I need some ideas.
04-02-23, 12:07 AM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 463
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
New threaded bottom bracket is squeaking - I need some ideas.
I just replaced the bottom bracket for my sram force crank set. English threaded. Seems like a stupid simple install. SRAM GXP bottom bracket.
It squeaks. I can even get it to squeak a bit with the chain off, bike on the trainer, so it has to be the bottom bracket since its the only thing moving.
Is it bad out of the box? Everything seems well lubed.
What the hell could it be?
It squeaks. I can even get it to squeak a bit with the chain off, bike on the trainer, so it has to be the bottom bracket since its the only thing moving.
Is it bad out of the box? Everything seems well lubed.
What the hell could it be?
04-02-23, 02:17 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,961
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4340 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
997 Posts
Did you install spacers under the cups?
Did you install the splined spacer between the left arm and the bearing?
Did you install anything on the driveside spindle?
Does it spin easily, other than a little seal drag?
Did you install the splined spacer between the left arm and the bearing?
Did you install anything on the driveside spindle?
Does it spin easily, other than a little seal drag?
04-02-23, 07:52 AM
#3
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 463
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
If by splined spacer you mean bearing cover, yes, its installed.
Nothing installed on the drive side spindle, aside from the bearing cover which stays in place on its own.
Yes, its spins quite freely.
04-02-23, 08:14 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
Did you thoroughly grease the cup and bottom bracket shell threads before installing the cups? Did you torque the cups to spec (350 to 400 inch-pounds which is VERY tight)? If you didn't do both go do them now. That should eliminate the squeaking.
Regular bearing grease or anti-seize will work just be generous in applying them. My preference is to wrap the cup threads in two layers of plumber's teflon tape which seals the threads completely but makes removal easy.
Regular bearing grease or anti-seize will work just be generous in applying them. My preference is to wrap the cup threads in two layers of plumber's teflon tape which seals the threads completely but makes removal easy.
Last edited by HillRider; 04-02-23 at 08:17 AM.
Likes For HillRider:
04-02-23, 12:56 PM
#7
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 463
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
I applied a lot of grease and the problem was unchanged. I installed the OLD and obviously worn bottom bracket - still the same squeaking noise! Then I remember that I had a spare crank, a brand new one. The squeak is gone!
The old crank is a SRAM Force 11 with carbon fiber arms. They've seen some miles but looks like they're in good condition. The new crank is SRAM Red 10. The rest of the groupset is sram force 11 speed.
The old crank is a SRAM Force 11 with carbon fiber arms. They've seen some miles but looks like they're in good condition. The new crank is SRAM Red 10. The rest of the groupset is sram force 11 speed.
04-02-23, 01:02 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,892
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4792 Post(s)
Liked 3,918 Times
in
2,548 Posts
+1 My first thought when I opened this thread. (Plus it isn't a move you will ever regret later though you will never know that. When it comes time to take the BB out, it will just unscrew like it ought to.)
04-02-23, 01:28 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,961
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4340 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
997 Posts
I applied a lot of grease and the problem was unchanged. I installed the OLD and obviously worn bottom bracket - still the same squeaking noise! Then I remember that I had a spare crank, a brand new one. The squeak is gone!
The old crank is a SRAM Force 11 with carbon fiber arms. They've seen some miles but looks like they're in good condition. The new crank is SRAM Red 10. The rest of the groupset is sram force 11 speed.
The old crank is a SRAM Force 11 with carbon fiber arms. They've seen some miles but looks like they're in good condition. The new crank is SRAM Red 10. The rest of the groupset is sram force 11 speed.
04-02-23, 05:13 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,961
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4340 Post(s)
Liked 1,528 Times
in
997 Posts
But you should also check the pedal. Is it greased and nice and tight? Is the threaded insert tight in the carbon arm, or is there some delamination?
