SRAM crankset fitting

marco67

Hi, hope someone can offer advice.
I'm trying to fit a 2008 SRAM Force groupset to a Cannondale System Six frame. English thread BB's fitted fine, but I just can't get the non drive side crank to do up enough to prevent lateral movement - I can pull the crank out a good couple of mm.
SRAM instructions say if this happens take crank off regrease splines and try again.
I have done this plus read some further Forum threads that suggest a great deal of brute force is required - I have used a lot and am wondering just how much is required.
Anyone offer pearls of wisdom on how to solve this problem.
Thanks
Mark

topdude

Could it be that the Cannondale BB is a little undersize and you need spacers between the bearing cups and frame to take up the slack ? Just a guess mind.

Monty Dog

Firstly, check inside the splines to ensure some swarf isn't trapped in there. A normal allen key simply will not going to give enough leverage - I use a 12" extension bar on a hex bit and still apply a bit of force - particularly when new, the splines will be deliberately undersize for a reason. If unsure, get your LBS who will use a long torque wrench for the job - it's an arm job, not for your wrist.

Wamas

Are you turning the allen bolt in an anticlockwise direction?

Silly question really, but I fitted my SRAM force crankset at 11 o'clock at night in the garage, I thought how hard can this be, but failed to realise that the bolt should be turned anticlockwise, I removed a Shimano crankset, and the Shimano crank cap was a conventional thread.
Most other bike parts have a clearly marked arrow when you need to install something is a reverse thread direction, even the SRAM BB has this.
My fault anyway, but due to them being alluminium threads, they retapped themselves, and so far everything seems to be okay - I just won't be taking them off too much.

Wamas

Disregard my last comment.

I had convinced myself for nearly a month now, that I had installed the crank wrong.
The Park Tools website gives some confusing information.
Just watched a video linked from the SRAM website, which tells you to tighten in a clockwise direction.
So I had installed it correctly, and because of my interpretation of the guidance from the park tools website, I had doubted myself.

So if you are installing a SRAM Force or Rival crankset, use the SRAM website instead, it is much clearer.