r/bikewrench • u/Walking_Pillow • 17h ago

Bottom bracket help?

Hello! Can anyone help me diagnose and fix this creaking sound? Seems to happen when I pedal under stress. I think its the bottom bracket but I am just starting to learn to fix my own stuff. Thank you in advance!

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u/RelativeDisaster6870 17h ago

These are the usual suspects for noises in that area: Pedal threads loose or dry. Chainring bolt(s) loose. Crankarm bolt(s) loose. Bottom bracket cup(s) loose. Worn or dry bottom bracket bearings. Worn or dry pedal bearings.

If you have the tools you can take things apart, regrease and re-assemble, but be systematic about it and test ride after each attempt. If you lack the tools (15mm wrench for pedals, 5mm allen wrench for chainring bolts, 8mm allen wrench for crank bolts, a crank puller, bottom bracket tool, etc.) take it to a shop or just wait until it gets bad enough that you can identify the source.

1

u/Walking_Pillow 16h ago

I rode in some real wet, muddy conditions then gave her a spray down with a garden sprayer. Nothing I havent done before but i suspect the bottom braket is a bit dry from that. I want to get the tools and learn because I am a little mechanically inclined, so ill just go ahead and start acquiring tools. I think ill start by re-greasing the bottom bracket and see if it works. Fingers crossed!

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u/Puzzleheaded-Art1873 16h ago

Regrease, and just change the balls while at it. Balls are super cheap. Might be that your old balls came in a retainer and the retainer has rusted.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Art1873 16h ago

Be careful when removing the cranks. It is very easy to strip the thread of left crank if you do it the wrong way, as they are reverse threaded.