Creeky Crank

[Jebus_MTA]

Hi, I'm new to cycling and bought a 2001 Hardrock last summer. I've heard that Specialized bikes usually have creeky cranks, but mine is getting progressively worse. I was going to take it in for repair, but do not want to get ripped off. I was wondering what might cause the crank to creek loudly every time I apply hard pressure, and how much it might costs to fix particular problems problems.

Greatly Appreciated.

-Bus

[debermart]

I have a specialized with a similar creeky crank problem. I have found that if you pull the cranks off (using a crank puller), clean and grease the bottom bracket spindle and then reinstall the cranks using a little bit of blue loc-tite on the crank bolts it usually stops the creaking. In the short term, you can just try tightening the crank bolts down. (caveat: this solution works for my square-taper BB spindle, not sure what it would do for a splined BB).

Cheers:beer_yum:

Steve

[seberly]

One time on a specialized I had I thought I had a creaky BB but ended up being the replacable derailleur hanger creaking against the frame - put some loctite (non-hardening) between the parts.....fixed it right up.

se

[zerpy]

I had creeky cranks on my hardrock and I finally replaced the POS truvativ cranks it came with. No more creeky cranks:) Now, I still do have a creek when I'm climbing in a slow gear but it's prob the frame or seatpost whining about my weight, prob wasn't made to take what I put on it. But I got rid of most of my creaking when I got rid of the crappy cranks.

[jitterjepp]

I had this problem on my old Specialized too. My hearing isn't that great so I could only hear it when I passed a by something on the side of the trail and the sound bounced off it. I never bothered to fix it. I went on the trail from St. Paul to Stillwater one day with a friend and he got so annoyed by it he was riding about 100 yards away on the way back.

[Trevize1138]

Bingo!

My '01 StumpJumper developed a creaky crank after a year or so. Last summer I did exactly the same thing as debermart: took apart the entire bottom bracket, cleaned it, lubed the treads and put it back together. No more creaky crank.

I have a specialized with a similar creeky crank problem. I have found that if you pull the cranks off (using a crank puller), clean and grease the bottom bracket spindle and then reinstall the cranks using a little bit of blue loc-tite on the crank bolts it usually stops the creaking. In the short term, you can just try tightening the crank bolts down. (caveat: this solution works for my square-taper BB spindle, not sure what it would do for a splined BB).

Cheers:beer_yum:

Steve

[JHM]

I have a specialized with a similar creeky crank problem. I have found that if you pull the cranks off (using a crank puller), clean and grease the bottom bracket spindle and then reinstall the cranks using a little bit of blue loc-tite on the crank bolts it usually stops the creaking. In the short term, you can just try tightening the crank bolts down. (caveat: this solution works for my square-taper BB spindle, not sure what it would do for a splined BB).

Cheers:beer_yum:

Steve
I always thought that grease on the spindle was bad idea? Any one with a professional opinion?
Thanks

[jaybird]

I always thought that grease on the spindle was bad idea? Any one with a professional opinion?
Thanks
The word of caution is whether someone placed the grease on the spline or the holding bolt. Grease on the spline is okay, just don't grease the holding/retaining bolt. Use the blue (removable) loctite on the retaining bolt.

[jkalla]

Do you all really believe that Specialized bikes have creakier cranks? It sounds suspicious to me. Unless it is specific to the Specialized in-house brand of components it is unlikely that Shimano crank bolts would be looser on a Specialized bike than a different bike manufacturer.


Also - don't overlook other drivetrain components - chainrings, bottom bracket, or like the earlier post - replaceable derailer hanger.

[Trevize1138]

Do you all really believe that Specialized bikes have creakier cranks? It sounds suspicious to me. Unless it is specific to the Specialized in-house brand of components it is unlikely that Shimano crank bolts would be looser on a Specialized bike than a different bike manufacturer.


Also - don't overlook other drivetrain components - chainrings, bottom bracket, or like the earlier post - replaceable derailer hanger.
I don't think it's specific to Specialized, just seems coincidence that three of us on here have had that same experience. I bought a crank puller and bottom bracket socket years and years ago when my Paramount had a creaky bottom bracket so I could take it apart, clean it, lube it and put it back together.

I think you'll find most bikes can be prone to getting a somewhat loose bottom bracket over time and require the same routine of clean/lube/rebuild. :)

[Standard]

OK, I already replied to this in the gear section, but I guess I'll throw some input in here as well.

This 'problem' is definatly not just limited to Specialized, any frame can have it. Aluminum frames more so, as the bigger tubes are better at amplifying sound. It's just a matter of cleaning and greasing the BB threads, and making sure everything is torqued to spec.
Most bike manufacturers put very little grease in the BB shell when assembling a bike. $.02 less grease per bike spread over quite a few thousand bikes means they save some money..