Another squeaky crank set...

[jolson05]

It's bad...


The crank squeaks while I'm pedaling and I'm standing or sitting, so it is not the seat post. It squeaks when any amount of pressure is applied while pedaling. It does not squeak when I pedal backwards or coast. It does not squeak while I'm coasting and standing and/or bunny hopping. It does not squeak when I pedal while coasting with no pressure. The squeak is symmetrical and is even. It squeaks with the left foot unclipped and it squeaks when the right foot is unclipped so it is not the pedals

I have taken the BB out and relubed the pedals, crank arms, chain ring bolts, and BB and properly reinstalled everything. When I had the BB out I did not notice anything wrong with it when I spun it.

What else could it be? What else can I try short of replacing the whole damn crank set, which I'm about to do? I have my eye on one of the Race Face aluminum XC sets. Feed back on their components? I just don't want to drop the coin as of yet.

In the beginning it started as a challenge to find the squeak but now it’s gotten to the point where it’s just plain annoying. And I want it gone.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

PeaceAndBeWild!
-=Jolson05=-

[kabbie_cache]

Not sure if this will help,but ....

My last bike did that for a while, although only when pressure apllied to one side. My problem was the BB was tight enough and the plastic "nut" that held it in place had a small crack in it.

I got a new plastic nut and made sure all was tight, the noise went away.

[manual63]

Unclipping and pedaling doesn't mean it can't be the pedals. Try a different set of pedals and see if it still squeaks.

When you reinstalled your cranks, did you apply grease where needed?

What type of crank do you have and how old is it? If it's older, it could be worn out. If it's been ridden while loose at any time, it could also be worn out where the crank and spindle come together.

As far as newer cranks, I am a fan of splined spindles instead of the square taper kind. They tend to be stronger and hold up better to abuse. Not sure if you ride hard or not, but some of us do and need higher end equipment to handle the extra abuse.

[Guest1]

Mine creak when I power "hard" on them but not if it is raining.

Have you checked your headset? (no that really isn't a joke)

[qheuie]

The crank squeaks while I'm pedaling and I'm standing or sitting, so it is not the seat post. It squeaks when any amount of pressure is applied while pedaling. It does not squeak when I pedal backwards or coast. It does not squeak while I'm coasting and standing and/or bunny hopping. It does not squeak when I pedal while coasting with no pressure. The squeak is symmetrical and is even. It squeaks with the left foot unclipped and it squeaks when the right foot is unclipped so it is not the pedals


Squeak or creak? When you say "It squeaks when any amount of pressure is applied while pedaling" is it throughout the entire rotation or on the downstroke/upstroke of a particular side?

What brand crankset is it? I had a truvativ stylo that creaked because the nut that held the spider to the crank arm was loose. I had it re-installed/torqued to spec and it has been fine ever since.

[Specialeded]

If you haven't yet, give the frame a good look over to make sure there is no cracks. Hopefully this is not the issue but hairline cracks can be hard to spot on a dirty frame and can drive you nuts troubleshooting where a creak is coming from if overlooked.

[soupboy]

If you haven't yet, give the frame a good look over to make sure there is no cracks.

This^. Also, is it a FS bike? If so it could be from suspension bits creaking while pedaling (and bobbing). Check that they're torqued to spec and/or properly l00bed. Also, pull that BB out, wrap with plumber's tape, l00b and reinstall.

If that doesn't work give me the bike and go buy a new one.:banana:

[dave t]

My FS rig drove me crazy looking for a "bottom bracket creak" and when I finally figured it out, I was too happy to be upset about how wrong I was.
The true source was a cable ferule flexing with the suspension!

[Dhallaway]

Creaks are so much fun! NOT!

One more thing to try, clean and lube the rear wheel drop outs, check spokes and bearings also.

[jolson05]

Unclipping and pedaling doesn't mean it can't be the pedals. Try a different set of pedals and see if it still squeaks.

When you reinstalled your cranks, did you apply grease where needed?

What type of crank do you have and how old is it? If it's older, it could be worn out. If it's been ridden while loose at any time, it could also be worn out where the crank and spindle come together.

As far as newer cranks, I am a fan of splined spindles instead of the square taper kind. They tend to be stronger and hold up better to abuse. Not sure if you ride hard or not, but some of us do and need higher end equipment to handle the extra abuse.

Thank you for the feedback... :)

I'd love to t-shoot the issue by replacing part by part on the entire crank set to pin point the source, starting with the pedals but I don't have the resources to do that. I'll ask my buddies if I can borrow their pedals and see what happens.

The crank is a Specialized Strong Arm (Splined Spindles) that is about 4 or 5 seasons old. I have recently researched that model and found it to be a very squeaky crank set thus the reason I'm almost at the point of just replacing it all.

[jolson05]

Mine creak when I power "hard" on them but not if it is raining.

Have you checked your headset? (no that really isn't a joke)

I checked the headset after you mentioned it and to the best of my abilities I found no issue with the headset. I like the thinking though, thank you! At this point I'll take any suggestion and not consider it a joke.

[jolson05]

Squeak or creak? When you say "It squeaks when any amount of pressure is applied while pedaling" is it throughout the entire rotation or on the downstroke/upstroke of a particular side?

What brand crankset is it? I had a truvativ stylo that creaked because the nut that held the spider to the crank arm was loose. I had it re-installed/torqued to spec and it has been fine ever since.

Creaking would be a more accurate description and the creaking is even and symmetrical.

Make/model: Specialized Strong Arm & Shimano BB (not sure which model)

I am not a authorized trained park took bike wrench but I have been wrenching since I was a wee lad and wrenched for a bike shop in college for extra cash, discount, and fun. But by no means do I claim to be an expert. My point is that I've broken down and re lubed everything involved with the crank set per the Park "Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair"'s instructions and I'm thinking the issue is the crank arms and they just need to be replace. And if I'm replacing that I'm going all they way and replacing the whole crank set.

Got any good suggestions on new crank sets? What do you think of the Race Face stuff?

Thanks a million for your feed back. I value everyone's response greatly!

[jolson05]

If you haven't yet, give the frame a good look over to make sure there is no cracks. Hopefully this is not the issue but hairline cracks can be hard to spot on a dirty frame and can drive you nuts troubleshooting where a creak is coming from if overlooked.

I've only inspected the bottom bracket housing on the frame but I'll look the whole thing over and see what I find. Good idea. Thank you.

[jolson05]

This^. Also, is it a FS bike? If so it could be from suspension bits creaking while pedaling (and bobbing). Check that they're torqued to spec and/or properly l00bed. Also, pull that BB out, wrap with plumber's tape, l00b and reinstall.

If that doesn't work give me the bike and go buy a new one.:banana:

It's a hard tail. The next whip is going to be a soft tail. Sho' 'nuf & mos' def'!!

I like the plumbers tape idea. I'm gonna try that.

If that doesn't work, I'll give you my bike, you give me your ATM card, the pin #, and a signed permission slip allowing me to buy my dream bike. You can tell your wife you bought her a new diamond necklace for her B-Day next year when she sees the withdrawal on the statement.

;) Hehehe...

I like your sense of humor! Thanks for the suggestion and the chuckle!!!

[jolson05]

My FS rig drove me crazy looking for a "bottom bracket creak" and when I finally figured it out, I was too happy to be upset about how wrong I was.
The true source was a cable ferule flexing with the suspension!

I'm trying to stay open minded to what it is. Everyone I'm on the trail with and hears it says that it has got to be the crank set and the chain ring bolts specifically. I took 'em out, lubed the sh1t out of 'em and put back in. And it still creaks.

Thank you for the feedback.

[jolson05]

Creaks are so much fun! NOT!

One more thing to try, clean and lube the rear wheel drop outs, check spokes and bearings also.

Copy that, will do...

Thanks.

[steef]

If you haven't yet, give the frame a good look over to make sure there is no cracks. Hopefully this is not the issue but hairline cracks can be hard to spot on a dirty frame and can drive you nuts troubleshooting where a creak is coming from if overlooked.

That's what happened with my old '87 Rockhopper.

[Danimal]

Mine was disintegrating, completely chewed up on the inside. Had to get a new BB. Nice and smooth now though.

[Guest1]

I pulled the cranks off and the BB greased the cups cleaned the threads reinstalled them and pulled the chainrings off to check the chainring bolts cleaned them then cleaned and greased the wheel qr, my creak dissappeared yesterday, sadly I am not sure what was the problem, but those are some things to try.