FSA Cranset installation problems (solved eventually)

The Big Cheese

Bit of help needed here guys as I am stumped.

I have just bought a brand new (removed from new bike and sold to me) FSA Carbon Team Issue cranskset.

I bought it to put on my 2010 S-Works stumpy that uses a Shimano BB-91 press-fit adapter that needs an axle of 24mm (which both Shimano, and this particular FSA crankset both have).

The BB91 utilises a small plastic spacer that slides down the axle towards the rings which you fit before using the BB91 (this has been done and is fitted).

The axle went straight through and came out the other side perfectly (i.e., the ‘splines’ end right at the BB.

So this has ruled out any BB91/crankset incompatibility issues.

PERFECT

Oh No...

I greased the splines on the axle and attached the left crank arm and started to tighten away as per usual.

However.

The crank is about 5mm away from the BB/End of the splined section of axle.

Now believe me, I have tightened this up SUPER tight, I am aware of FSA’s unusually large torque settings for these, however I DO NOT want strip threads, bugger/snap the bolt etc.

The crank bolt is looking a little weathered already with my efforts.

My questions are:
A) How do I overcome this? Am I not fitting the left crank arm correctly?
Is there supposed to be some sort of spacer, that goes on before the left crank arm?
C) Should the left arm tighten up to the ‘end’ of the splined section of the axle?

I have some photos to show you the situation:








I would REALLY appreciate any help on this.

The Big Cheese

Apprently 434-521 lbs of torque needed!!!

nicklouse

where is your wavy washer?

and there should be a gap of 1.5-2.2mm

njee20

Warned you ;-)

The Big Cheese

Didn't get a wavy washer... but I can get one for £2 online.

Njee, it's weird. The axle fits but it's as if the crank arm (left) just won't go all the way down to the BB....

Arrrrrgggghhh

Will the wavy washer sort this, does anyone have a link to an FSA/Other installation site?

nicklouse

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/techdoc/

The Big Cheese

Obviously, unlike HTII, I cant add spacers to the BB to sort this out.

Is it basically the truth that this crank is not compatible with the BB91?

Should the 'splined' section of the axle end where the BB cups are?

Will the wavey washer cure this? I simply cannot tighten it up anymore.

I will sell it on otherwise and go back to Shimano methinks otherwise.

There is absolutely no way this can be tightened anymore.

nicklouse

what is the gap. dont guess measure.

it may not be compatible with the shimano bearings but you can get 24mm spacers.

The Big Cheese

nicklouse wrote:

what is the gap. dont guess measure.

it may not be compatible with the shimano bearings but you can get 24mm spacers.

Hi Nick

6mm.

I have fitted the 2.5mm spacer on the drive side axle (which you have to do with the BB91) and it's up to the hilt.

I would need 5mm of spacers to fix this.

nicklouse

then that is what you need or get and fit a FSA press fit bearing kit and find the wavy washer.

The Big Cheese

So basically:

purchase wavy washer and a selection of spacers for the non-drive side.

Tinker until it 'fits'

I cannot interfere with the drive side spacer which is on the axle as it will feck the chainline up.

So, just space out left side.

Can you get FSA bearings for the BB91/S-Works frame?

nicklouse

yes they do a press fit set up.

but I can not find any measurements for FSA stuff so I would do a Face to face at shop.

One reason I dont do any FSA stuff. they have so many different BB cups for the External cranks that I dont trust them.

The Big Cheese

Sorted..


Solution?


Just buy Shimano... :roll:

nicklouse

shame about the pedals.

cooldad

nicklouse wrote:

shame about the pedals.

Doesn't really matter as they'll never get used.