Noise coming from BB - help with diagnosis.

JesseD

Help, I have recently installed new campag bb cups which I run with a carbon record ultra torque chainset.

Before installing I cleaned all surfaces, applied locktite to the bb threads and installed and tightened, I then regreased the inside of the bearing cups and cleaned all the old grease off the crank and bearings before installing them and tightening. I made sure I put the wave washer on the non-drive side and installed the clip on the drive side.

First ride was great with no noise at all, just quiet smooth spinning. I did 60 miles on Saturday and after 30 a noise started coming from the bb area, not so much whne seated and spinning but when under pressure or when I am out of the saddle it is very loud.

Any ideas?

Thanks

JesseD

MRadd

Take the bb out again...

And use copper grease instead of loctite...

father_jack

locktite? good luck in removing bb

JesseD

It's the red one and olny been in a couple of days so should be fine to get out.

Just to make sure I have installed properly:

The wave washer goes on non drive???

When all installed there should be no lateral play in cranks?

JesseD

Just checked the campagnolo website and fitting instuctions and it recommends locktite 222 and only hand tighten the bb cups, I have tightened mine with a BB spanner.

I know its the campag website but hand tightening with locktite 222 doesn't sound right to me, anyone have experience?

http://www.campagnolo.com/repository/do ... ual-UK.pdf

father_jack

oh god you're stuffed....should never use locktite...

"Red sets HARD, you will be pushed to undo a screw set with this, especially
on a heli (small screws etc). OTOH, blue will hold but is easily breakable
for when the inevitable repair\maintenance session is required.Red sets HARD, you will be pushed to undo a screw set with this, especially
on a heli (small screws etc). OTOH, blue will hold but is easily breakable
for when the inevitable repair\maintenance session is required.!"

I have used blue for RC car bolts, never red...only use that on engine fixing ie exhaust (if they come loose in the first place) I think you may be up the creek.

JesseD

just checked and I did use loctite 243 whihc is blue and not the red one which is loctite 271, not sure why I thought it was red.

father_jack

I'd still remove the BB before it sets fully, clean out the threads properly with the dried up locktite. And just use anti-seize compount. Apply grease to bb tube and bb. There really is no need for locktite...the direction of the thread is designed so it doesn't work itself loose (for example pedals)

magliaceleste

The Loctite 222 which Campag suggest (which is purple and low strength) is really recommended for Italian threaded cups (there are only a few frames made with these now) as they unwind in the opposite direction to Britsh threads.

As suggested above, just used grease/anti-seize. I have to use a spanner to tighten my cups up fully, just don't go nuts.

You sure it is definitely coming from the BB? I know noises can be a right b***ger to diagnose, but if it happens mainly when you are out of the saddle, could it caused by flex somewhere or a cable knocking?

Splottboy

Is it a family of Scandinavian dwarfs, looking for Santas Grotto?

JesseD

Splottboy wrote:

Is it a family of Scandinavian dwarfs, looking for Santas Grotto?

yep found them, lent them my sat nav and sent them on their way.

I am 99% sure it's the bb as I took the chainset out last night and regreased and re-installed again, noise stopped this morning for about 25 miles then came back. I am thinking it may be a spacing issue. FWIW I am using campag bb cups with a record UT chainset on a Dale six13 frame, the bb has been faced and I didn't have this issue when the old bb was first installed, only after about 3000 miles. I have just been out to buy copper grease, so do I hand tighten or use the bb spanner?

JesseD

BB re-installed with copper grease, hand tightened then the last little bit with a BB spanner but not over tightened. All regreased and cleaned, so here's hoping.

MRadd

Let us know how you get on!

If you still find there is a creak, I'll have a chat with our Campy expert.

JesseD

Seemed ok on my early morning 40 miler this morning, if it comes back then sod it I'm taking it to my lbs to get sorted.

edjo

it's a general point for fitting BB's...especially external cups...
Where the cup face contacts the frame, there can be micro movements that are amplified by large section frames - Cannondale are really good at this.
Applying a coating of grease / anti-seize / copperslip to the BB face and to the threads tends to stop the noise. Tighten the BB to the required torque then clean off excess from the frame.

MRadd

Good points Edjo!


JesseD, I think you are local to our shop, Performance Cycles... Feel free to pop it in and we'll take a good look at it.. and make you a cuppa!

JesseD

Cheers MRadd, I'm based in Bristol so I Gloucester is a tad far, however I will pop over and check out the shop soon, nothing like checking out a new bike shop, I get quite excited about what goodies will be waiting!!

Update aboit the bloody noise, it came back on my club ride on Saturday, so off I went to my LBS in the afternoon, Rob the mechanic had a look at it for me and after about 30 mins of head scratching, he discovered that it was the back wheel making the noise in the drop outs. Good news is that it's all sorted now