creaking crank ( i think) running out of options!

nismo

Likes Dirt
Hi.

Just wanted to get some advice on what could be causing this creaking noise which seems to be coming from my crank/bottom bracket.

* its a shimano M770 BB and deore xt crank.
* the creaking noise only happens under load or when going uphills and it is on the downstroke of either pedal, although more often on the left downstroke.
* I installed a new BB and the creak wont go away,
* I also replaced the chain and tightened and greased all of the chainring bolts. (now the chainring bolts are that tight i cant get them off) its still creaking!
* I tried different tensions as the instructions say to torque the bb cups to 35nm, so i tried light and heavy variations, it made no difference.
* Also tried different tensions on the plastic preload screw, which is meant to be 7-9bls of tension. no difference there either.
* Also tried greasing the pedals, no luck

its definitely something to do with the drive train, as there is no creaking when not pedalling.

Any suggestions on what could be causing this creaking let me know ?

ps. Next I might try plumbers tape inside the BB cups..
 

Suburban rider

Likes Dirt
did you grease the axle???? load the axle up with grease before putting the cranks on and around/in the bearings as much as possible, do the same with the BB thread, and grease the pedal axles and thread (on pedal axle, and crank thread) if it still creaks i'll be amazed! normally works for me!
 

nismo

Likes Dirt
did you grease the axle???? load the axle up with grease before putting the cranks on and around/in the bearings as much as possible, do the same with the BB thread, and grease the pedal axles and thread (on pedal axle, and crank thread) if it still creaks i'll be amazed! normally works for me!
Axle ends are well greased, the axle that goes through the BB cups is lightly greased not overboard though..
 

LBSGUY

Squid
check ....

Hi there

We have found at our shop that often if all options are exhausted for a creaking BB check your frame for hairline cracks quite often with the amount of lube / grease being put in there constantly installing and reinstalling the BB the problem will become intermitent (but returns as the lube washes out). If your frame is cracked take it to your place of purchase (some bicycle companys offer lifetime warrantys:clap2: on frames TREK ect) have it inspected and go through the warranty process


Hope this helps


LBS GUY
 

nismo

Likes Dirt
Hi there

We have found at our shop that often if all options are exhausted for a creaking BB check your frame for hairline cracks quite often with the amount of lube / grease being put in there constantly installing and reinstalling the BB the problem will become intermitent (but returns as the lube washes out). If your frame is cracked take it to your place of purchase (some bicycle companys offer lifetime warrantys:clap2: on frames TREK ect) have it inspected and go through the warranty process


Hope this helps


LBS GUY
Are hairline cracks easy to spot ?
 

nismo

Likes Dirt
Hi there

We have found at our shop that often if all options are exhausted for a creaking BB check your frame for hairline cracks quite often with the amount of lube / grease being put in there constantly installing and reinstalling the BB the problem will become intermitent (but returns as the lube washes out). If your frame is cracked take it to your place of purchase (some bicycle companys offer lifetime warrantys:clap2: on frames TREK ect) have it inspected and go through the warranty process


Hope this helps


LBS GUY
i get what your saying, although if i go through a very bumpy section or throw my weight around on the bike (without pedalling) there is no creaking at all. the only time it creaks is when pedalling.


ps people. dont buy second hand bikes.
 

skwiz05

Likes Bikes and Dirt
Ive seen people got through this time and again......up to the point of completely replaacing the drive train (or swap with another bike) to then discover its their seat post..........
 

porca

Likes Bikes
my road bike creaks everytime i wash it, I find that the rear hub cones come loose so I nip em up pretty tight and lube where the spokes cross over
 

frensham

Likes Dirt
Could be your headset. I had a similar problem, creaking rythmically under load when pedalling. Tried everything you have done - no fix. Then I removed the headset bearings, re-greased everything and voila! no more creak. Having exhausted the BB you should now look elsewhere. The seatpost is another area, as is the saddle rail/seatpost interface. Don't discount the seatpost. Mine creaks only when under heavy pedalling load (eg steep uphill, out of the saddle).

As for hairline cracks, you tend to feel them with your finger rather than see them initially.
 

D_Nine

Senior Member
You don't sat what type of bike it is.I had a dually that would creak in the same way you were describing.Pulled it down and cleaned all the pivots as well as replacing the DU bushes in the shock and noise went away ! As to why pedals would cause an issue,they are part of the drivetrain. A dry pedal bearing or damaged pedal axle may also cause a noise.Also seatpost,stem at steerer or bars.Noise has a habit of travelling !
 

redbruce

Eats Squid
Hi.

Just wanted to get some advice on what could be causing this creaking noise which seems to be coming from my crank/bottom bracket.

* its a shimano M770 BB and deore xt crank.
* the creaking noise only happens under load or when going uphills and it is on the downstroke of either pedal, although more often on the left downstroke.
* I installed a new BB and the creak wont go away,
* I also replaced the chain and tightened and greased all of the chainring bolts. (now the chainring bolts are that tight i cant get them off) its still creaking!
* I tried different tensions as the instructions say to torque the bb cups to 35nm, so i tried light and heavy variations, it made no difference.
* Also tried different tensions on the plastic preload screw, which is meant to be 7-9bls of tension. no difference there either.
* Also tried greasing the pedals, no luck

its definitely something to do with the drive train, as there is no creaking when not pedalling.

Any suggestions on what could be causing this creaking let me know ?

ps. Next I might try plumbers tape inside the BB cups..
Yes they are both annoying and hard to pinpoint, and the actual source is often not the main suspect. The frame can resonate and transfer the noise from source to a resonator node.

Power goes through your legs through pedals, cranks, drivetrain, but equally through your arms, handlebars, stem and then frame, and/or through your seat, frame etc. Any can be the actual point source but not necessarily the apparent source.

You also dont mention what type of bike. Full sus also has pivots/bearings so add them in (for example the actual source on my Yeti ASR is generally the dogbone link even though it sounds like it comes from the BB).

Anyway just follow the path from your body through the bike. I find a spritz silicone spray applied to every connection can assist identification of the true source by a process of elimination.

I know you are frustrated but please dont apply plumbers tape, it will create other problems (I also have had zero creak issues with hollowtech cranks than other designs on the family fleet). I also reckon you have done the crank thing to death so time to look elsewhere.

For the response why pedals. Because they are in the chain and they can cause the same noise (was dry bearings on my BMX race bike).
 

nismo

Likes Dirt
I also reckon you have done the crank thing to death so time to look elsewhere.

For the response why pedals. Because they are in the chain and they can cause the same noise (was dry bearings on my BMX race bike).
The bike is ahardtail Yeti Arc.

I Agree, Its a new BB so it cant really be the BB unless the shell isnt faced, and im not going spend the $ to get it faced anyway.

Next up

*I'll nip up the hubs if the need it..
*grease spokes where they join wheels
* reseat and grease seatpost and saddle
* grease fork drop outs

I cleaned up and greased the headset but i didnt take the bearings out, dont have the right too, might tackle that sometime with a screwdriver.
 
Last edited:

jaseh

Likes Bikes and Dirt
I had a yeti that was creaking while pedaling and had a shudder in the rear brake, it had a crack in the non drive side chain stay.

Sent from my HTC Desire S
 

silentbutdeadly

has some good things to say
Hi.

Just wanted to get some advice on what could be causing this creaking noise which seems to be coming from my crank/bottom bracket.

* its a shimano M770 BB and deore xt crank.
* the creaking noise only happens under load or when going uphills and it is on the downstroke of either pedal, although more often on the left downstroke.
* I installed a new BB and the creak wont go away,
* I also replaced the chain and tightened and greased all of the chainring bolts. (now the chainring bolts are that tight i cant get them off) its still creaking!
* I tried different tensions as the instructions say to torque the bb cups to 35nm, so i tried light and heavy variations, it made no difference.
* Also tried different tensions on the plastic preload screw, which is meant to be 7-9bls of tension. no difference there either.
* Also tried greasing the pedals, no luck

its definitely something to do with the drive train, as there is no creaking when not pedalling.

Any suggestions on what could be causing this creaking let me know ?

ps. Next I might try plumbers tape inside the BB cups..

Did you lightly grease the thread of the BB shell? And the threads of the BB cups before you installed? The last BB I installed creaked and it turned out upon disassembly that I'd neglected to perform this essential step. Doing it properly the second time banished the creak.
 

gphei1

Cannon Fodder
have you looked at your cleats i know that i have had trouble with cleats loosing over time and starting to creak
 

timrob

Likes Dirt
second the seatpost option,

pull out your post, clean it, re-grease it.

Saddles flex when you are pedalling, and when you are in rough stuff not pedalling you are generaly not sitting on the saddle either!
 

SPECIALIST

Likes Dirt
what do the pedals have to do with it?
change to another set of pedals to see if the original pedals are causing the noise.....its one of the common things to do on the "wheres the squeeking noise" check list
1.check b/b for play
2.grease b/b
3. grease b/b bearings if pos
4.check pedals are tight
5.check front durialier clamp is tight
6.check if seat clamp is tight
7.check for grease in seat tube
8.change pedals
9.check pedal cleats (if applies)
10.grease and tighten cranks
11.check if rear quick release is done up prop.
12.tighten all bearing pivots.

in no order
 
Last edited:
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