Charge BB - Is this normal....

wruds

I have recently noticed the BB on my charge racer has exposed threads. I/m sure it wasn't like this, but I cannot recall to be precise. However looking closely at the threads I can see 'metal scrapings' similar to iron filings within some of the threads!!!

Can anyone offer any advice?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/66011761@N07/

The bike is less than 6 monts old from new

keef66

It looks kike the BB cup is unscrewing from the shell. Can't be many threads left engaged judging by the photo. I'd stop riding it and either get it back to wherever you bought it from, or if that's not convenient, fix it yourself / get a LBS to tighten it up for you.

wruds

thanks for the prompt reply. What tools would be needed to d.i.y?

keef66

You need a crank extractor to get the crank off, and a bottom bracket tool to fit the BB cup. (and a large adjustable spanner to turn it)

Trouble is, you need to know what kind of BB you have in order to get the correct ones.

Any info on the bike?

(I'm off to look at the Charge website)

wruds

The bike is a Charge Plug Racer

keef66

Looks like a FSA square taper BB; standard Shimano type tools will fit.

There will be a bolt securing the crank to the end of the axle; needs a socket or an allen key to remove it (normal anticlockwise thread to remove) MAKE SURE YOU FISH OUT THE WASHER TOO.

Then engage the crank extractor tool fully in the threads of the crank, then tighten the inner bit which will push on the end of the axle and pull the crank off.

Engage BB tool in the splines of the cup and tighten it fully / firmly. Some thread may still be visible, but it shouldn't come loose again.

Refit the crank and secure with the bolt / washer

keef66

Looking closely at the photo it looks like the crank has been hitting the BB cup; might need a bit of careful restoration to remove any rough edges

Monty Dog

Normally you'd expect there to be a lockring on the non-drive side BB cup to prevent this, or some thread lock. Damage in only likely to be cosmetic.

Stellite

Is it a sugino messenger crank?

you will need a bottom bracket like this, it will have the width on the sticker attached to it.


http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shopchain.html

And as above folk have said, you will the the bottom bracket tool

wruds

Thanks to all. Managed to get a toolkit and tighten back up. I am a little concerned that it worked loose in the first place.
Lock- tite or lock ring ?

Monty Dog

If you still have 4mm of thread protruding, then you have enough room for a lockring. If there's no room for a lockring, then a medium grade Loctite will hold the cup in place.

keef66

See how it goes. I'd only resort to Loctite if the little bugger starts coming undone again. The threads on BB cups are normally greased before installation; getting them out again is the more common problem!