Creaking Shimano R700 Compact Chainset

siobhansdad
siobhansdad Posts: 16
edited March 2011 in Workshop
Any body else had problems with the left hand crank on this chainset ?

After only a few weeks mine developed a slight creaking which is now significantly worse

I have checked out pedals/cleats/stems /seatpost/wheels etc ...the bottom bracket cups are new

Tried pedalling with one leg and noise is not there on the drive side

The creaking is there with stopper in place or not

Putting back on Dura Ace chainset with same bike set up and the noise disappears

So , I am convinced it is the left crank but I cannot solve this

Any comment/suggestion very welcome

Thanks
pedrootes

Comments

  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,719
    Take the arm off, pop a bit of grease on the splines, then put it back up, making sure you torque up the two pinch bolts correctly after preloading the bearings with the end cap.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    did you have the BB shell faced?
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • damptw
    damptw Posts: 34
    Yes, i have a similiar problem with a tiagra compact chainset. I have ruled out all other posibilities and narrowed it down to the interface between the left hand crank and the axle. I have found that loosining one of the pinch bolts and retightining it makes the problem go away for awhile, but it soon comes back. I would also be interested if anyone has a fix for this.
  • siobhansdad
    siobhansdad Posts: 16
    Hi Maddog 2
    You have got me there ........Please clarify , I was not aware I had to do anything with bottom bracket except fit it !
    pedrootes
  • siobhansdad
    siobhansdad Posts: 16
    Damptw, I found exactly the same thing , loosened and tightened the bolts numerous times sometimes with success .......until the next ride .....

    I have just noticed the splines on the axle appear a little compressed , I am not aware I have overtightened at all

    The splines on my Dura Ace chainset , 3 years old ,look so much sharper , I wonder if this is reflection on material used .I guess if the interface is not spot on that could cause problems ?
    pedrootes
  • OnTow
    OnTow Posts: 130
    May be not the ultimate fix; how about a liberal application of thread-lock?
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    on painted frames mainly, you can get the BB shell 'faced' - this takes a small amount of metal/paint off each edge of the shell to ensure the shell sides are perfectly square and parallel. If this isn't the case then the crank and BB cups may be twisted slightly, which can decrease bearing life.

    Sounds like a clamping issue though to me. Creaks are usually metal on metal, so try treadlock, as said.

    Shimano recommend re-tightening the pinch bolts after a few rides, to ensure bedding in. Did you do this? If not then the splines may have worn slightly, wghich could cause a creak to develop.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • skylark
    skylark Posts: 445
    Was this issue resolved?
  • sally65
    sally65 Posts: 76
    I've had the same problem on both a tiagra triple chainset and a 105 double. Ive found removing, cleaning and greasing cures this .[but only for around 4 months]. Annoying noise. drives me crazey.
  • sturmey
    sturmey Posts: 964
    Take the arm off, pop a bit of grease on the splines, then put it back up, making sure you torque up the two pinch bolts correctly after preloading the bearings with the end cap

    +1

    And regrease pinchbolts.

    Forget about shell refacing-that's unlikely to be the problem here.
  • T.Fizzle085
    T.Fizzle085 Posts: 2
    First i had a 105 chainset brought about a year ago and had a the same problem.

    I took it apart, cleaned, greased and re-tightend about 4 times then one day it stoped. It hasent started again since then.

    I brought a new bike recently that has the R700 chainset on it. Since i brought it ive riden it about 5 times and the creaking noise started almost instantly. I took it back to lesuire lakes where i brought it for its free service and they told me they'd fixed it. Got home, went out and it was still creaking.

    Dont know what to do now but i dont think its anything to do with your bottom braket because my 105 is ran on a standard BB and my new bike is press fit and both have the exact same problem. I think its the crank arm. Tightening the crank arm bolts can make it less noticable but theres a fine line between what makes the noise better or worse.

    I also dont think its because its a cheaper chainset because 105 is bout £150 and creaking was just a bad.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    whyamihere wrote:
    Take the arm off, pop a bit of grease on the splines, then put it back up, making sure you torque up the two pinch bolts correctly after preloading the bearings with the end cap.

    Listen to what "whyam...." is saying. Especially the part about preloading the bearings.
    Don't just stick the arm on and tighten away at the pinch bolts. Preloading the B/B bearings is a must. Look on Shimanos website for instructions. Maybe someone can help by posting a video. I'm way to stupid to even be able to post a picture.
  • sturmey
    sturmey Posts: 964
    Make sure there is grease on the O rings on the inside faces of the cranks and after preloading bearings as stated get those pinch bolts done up good and tight- it says 12-15nm on 'em.

Categories