Entire crank continually coming loose

distinctlyamerican
distinctlyamerican Posts: 7
edited January 2012 in Workshop
Hey folks, I've been having a bout of trouble with my road bike. A few months back, my entire pedal system began wiggling back and forth in a way that I knew couldn't be good, so I had it checked out. I paid about $15 bucks to have the crank shaft tightened and was on my way. The next time I took it out however, the same thing occurred within 20 minutes of riding. I've re-tightened it many times, often times just when I absolutely need to get somewhere, but I'm looking for a permanent solution and would like to try and fix it on my own. Anyone have some previous experience? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • sandyballs
    sandyballs Posts: 577
    What type of BB do you have? i have had this problem on a square taper before. If you use it too much whilst it is loose the taper faces get damaged and pretty much it's a new crank.
  • distinctlyamerican
    distinctlyamerican Posts: 7
    I think mine might be a square taper. I'll make sure soon as i get home. Yikes, that'd definitely stink. Thanks for the heads up though.
  • sandyballs
    sandyballs Posts: 577
    To be fair on another bike i did just give it some welly with a plastic mallat and then do the bolt up as tight as would dare without stripping and that one was fine.
  • stigofthedump
    stigofthedump Posts: 331
    Once a crank has come loose, particularly if you have ridden it whilst loose, you might have irreperable worn the mating surfaces. The only solution would then be a new crank. I had this happen to my truvative two piece splined cranks. They were never the same again. Sorry to bear bad news.
  • kentphil
    kentphil Posts: 479
    This happend to me many years ago and I ended up buying a new crank. As has been previously said the mating surfaces have probably worn.
    1998 Kona Cindercone in singlespeed commute spec
    2013 Cannondale Caadx 1x10
    2004 Giant TCR
  • distinctlyamerican
    distinctlyamerican Posts: 7
    =( Yikes. well thanks for the info all. Any suggestions for a new square taper crank?
  • nweststeyn
    nweststeyn Posts: 1,574
    Whats on there at the moment? If its square taper it sounds like you'll need a new crank but depending on the BB you may need to replace that too. I had the same issue and by riding it loose I caused wear on both the crank AND BB shaft, causing it to come loose constantly.
  • sandyballs
    sandyballs Posts: 577
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=34652

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=46025

    As i remember i went for something like this, have sold the bike now though. You will also need the BB socket dependant on what make you have. Obviously shop around this was just a quick grab.

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