Damn ticking noise from cranks/bb - arghghghgghh!

JamesFree
JamesFree Posts: 703
edited June 2010 in Workshop
My bike has just developed annoying ticking noise when I put alot of power down through the cranks, and doesnt when i'm just crusing.

Its sounds like it could be coming from the BB or the cranks as thats where the noise comes from.

The BB and crank is a 105 and the BB is only about 400 miles old, could it need a regrease ?

Its not a loud ticking nose but happens every revolution and its driving me nuts, so any ideas people ?

Thanks for your help

Comments

  • Legshaver
    Legshaver Posts: 75
    Check your cleats and pedals. I find that you sometimes get a clicking sound from the movement of the cleat across the pedal plate.
  • Justinjured
    Justinjured Posts: 142
    Had exactly that about 6 weeks a go. my bike sounded like an old wreck. Like yours it only started when applying more force on the cranks.

    lbs checked it out and it was most of the drivetrain that was worn out. They replaced the cassette and the chain which sorted the problem out 100%, but said the middlechain ring and jockey wheels were also very worn, and would need replacing in the near future.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Eliminate simple things like hitting the front mech cable or stiff chain link?

    Have you checked crank and chainring bolts are tight?

    Grab the pedals firmly and push them back and forth, perpendicular to the direction of the wheels - this may highlight any looseness in the BB or pedal bearings.

    Then consider whether the BB threads need greasing. Likewise, headset is tight?

    After that it could be all manner of things - see sticky above - some components are more succeptible to noises, clicks and squeaks than others
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • topdude
    topdude Posts: 1,557
    Seatpost is the place to start.
    I know it sounds like the bottom bracket, it always does.
    Eliminate the seatpost first :wink:
    He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy !!
  • MeatyLegs
    MeatyLegs Posts: 9
    I get this problem after a wet ride. I simple spray some TF2 lube onto the peddles where it joins the shoe and its all gravy!
    .
    .
    .
    Shut up legs, shut up legs, shut up legs!
  • jamespiggot
    jamespiggot Posts: 69
    You can often locate the problem by working backwards through the things you have attempted to improve or maintain, last time this happened to me it was after moving the seat backwards and not re-tightening the bolts enough. It often sounds like the clicks or whatever are coming from the bottom bracket as topdude says above but it seldom is the culprit in my case.
    http://oxfordsportive.com
  • Trev71
    Trev71 Posts: 46
    I recently had a similar problem with my bike; it was driving me nuts. Eventually solved it be removing the pedal, cleaning the threads and applying some copper grease.
  • REF123
    REF123 Posts: 13
    I went thru this twice in the last year.
    Aggravating to listen to and even more aggravating to isolate.
    Both times I swore it was the bb and both times I was wrong.
    First time it turned out to be the seatpost which grease eliminated.
    Second time it was my left pedal which cleaning and light lubing also solved.
  • JamesFree
    JamesFree Posts: 703
    Right I have tightened my pedals, seat post, crank arms etc etc

    Will let you know if it still happens on my way home :D
  • REF123
    REF123 Posts: 13
    edited June 2010
    Good luck w it, James, I know how distracting it can be, believe me.
    If you still hear that clicking, try removing your pedals and cleaning the threads and applying a liberal amount of grease to them.
    They tend to go dry and allow any play (even when firmly tightened down) where the mating materials rub against one another, creating unwanted sounds.
    Also, check your headset cuz these high pitched noises can seem to come from almost anywhere.
    If it's too loose you not only open up the possibility of ovalizing your head tube but the spacers can also rub against one another, creating another source of maddening noises.
    Tightening the thing's a little tricky cuz you don't want to over tighten, either, which can lead to indexing over time... but that's another topic in itself.

    Edit:

    Just noticed that Trev71 covered the pedal greasing possibility in an earlier post.
    I need to grease mine (eggbeaters) every time I deep clean and lube the bike.
  • alp777
    alp777 Posts: 211
    I would put a small wager on it being the crank bolts on the left crank or the chainring bolts. Happened to me a few weeks ago, ended up buying replacement BB cups only to find the noise still there. Greased the crankbolt and chainring threads and no more noise.

    If you are still having problems check out this


    http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html
  • JamesFree
    JamesFree Posts: 703
    All sorted, I tightened and lubed everything mentioned and the noise is gone :D

    Even managed my PB for my commute a nice 10 miles at 20.3 mph, mega chuffed!
  • REF123
    REF123 Posts: 13
    Excellenté !
  • JamesFree
    JamesFree Posts: 703
    Oh and Thanks everyone for your help !

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