Crankset bolts - to grease or not to grease?

Ian.B
Ian.B Posts: 732
edited January 2009 in Workshop
Campag's crankset instructions specifically say "NEVER lubricate the bolts before tightening them". However, all three bike maintenance books and websites (Park Tools and BicycleTutor) I've looked at say to grease the threads and under the heads of the bolts before fitting.

Who's right??

Ian

Comments

  • Rob Sallnow
    Rob Sallnow Posts: 6,279
    Nope, I've never greased mine....in fact they come with thread lock on them.
    I'd rather walk than use Shimano
  • Ian.B
    Ian.B Posts: 732
    Thanks Rob, I'll go along with you and Campag then
  • woody-som
    woody-som Posts: 1,001
    I always do mine on the bikes that have the square drive BB, but not the hollowtec system.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Loctite 243 - job done
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    I always use copperslip.
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    Which bolts are you talking about? The one that holds an Ultratorque bottom bracket axle together? The ones that hold chainrings on the spider? Crankset bolts for a square taper setup?
  • Ian.B
    Ian.B Posts: 732
    robbarker wrote:
    Which bolts are you talking about? The one that holds an Ultratorque bottom bracket axle together? The ones that hold chainrings on the spider? Crankset bolts for a square taper setup?

    Sorry I wasn't clear - it's the bolts fixing the crankset (Chorus '06) to a square taper BB

    Ian
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    Conventional wisdom suggests (mostly) no grease on square taper bottom bracket fittings. I've never been convinced but I would go with the manufacturer's recommendation. The bolts themselves (not the square taper faces) would benefit from a dab of anti-seize though.
  • Ian.B
    Ian.B Posts: 732
    Thanks - majority view seems to be to grease the bolts
    Ian

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