Left-right play at bottom bracket

Asked by: Carl Hunter

Why is there play in my bottom bracket?

If there is play in your bottom bracket it means that the bearings are loose or worn out, it should be repaired soon because it will influence the whole drivetrain negatively, like sprockets and chain.

How do you know if your bottom bracket needs replacing?

To check if your BB needs replacing, drop the chain off of the smallest chainring and spin the cranks. If there’s a side-to-side wobble, or feeling of grittiness, it’s time for a new one.

How should a bottom bracket feel?

Quote from video: And see if you can feel knocking in the bearings hard to see sometimes you can feel it. Another good indicator is to use some other senses like a sense of feel and some hearing. So grab the downtube.

What happens if bottom bracket is loose?

The most common symptom of a loose or worn bottom bracket is rhythmic creaking with each bikes. The crank-and-spindle interface is made up of eight splines (ridges that keep the spindle in place), creating more surface area for a better fit. The bearings tend to be better sealed and will therefore last longer.

How do you fix a loose bottom bracket?

Quote from video: Up it anti-clockwise to loosen you can then unscrew the rest by hand net do we use the spanner fix it onto the hex head and tighten by turning it in a clockwise. Direction.

How often should you replace a bottom bracket?

What we found was again the basic bottom bracket on your bike from the factory isn’t going to last longer than 500 miles. Wheels Mfg brackets lasted substantially longer BUT the mileage varied greatly with climate and contamination. I maintain my bottom brackets every 1000 miles on my own bikes.

How many miles do bottom brackets last?

As for a bottom bracket, on the low end, maybe 5000 miles. The basic Shimano one most people use (UN51/55/similar) can reasonably expect 10k+ miles. But sometimes you get unlucky and get a bottom bracket that lasts maybe 500 miles.

How do you test a bottom bracket?

Quote from video: Little or no grease inside there or there's a lot of dirt or just the bearings are starting to go bad a lot of these have a silk cartridge bearing so bearings need to be replaced toss.

Do I need to grease the bottom bracket?

With the threads now clean and sharp the next step is to prepare them with a layer of good quality grease. The grease will enable a smooth fit between the cups and the frame, the grease will also reduce the chance of corrosion developing between the materials in the bottom bracket shell and those in the cups.

Why is bottom bracket creaking?

Most of the time, the true cause is a loose chainring bolt—tighten them up and that’ll quiet most creaks. After you check the chainring bolts and if you still hear the noise, look at your pedals, crank bolts, seatpost, and seat. By checking these first, you’ll save an hour of digging into your bottom bracket.

Why does my bike creak when I pedal hard?

That creaky squeaking you hear as you pedal “could mean that [your bike] has a dry chain or bearings,” Yozell says. Cleaning and lubing your chain is usually a good place to start with any weird noise, but if it doesn’t solve the squeak, you may need to maintain or replace some bearings (see below).

How long do ceramic bottom brackets last?

3,000-5,000 miles

CeramicSpeed Bottom Brackets and Wheel Bearings should be maintained every 5,000-8,000 km or 3,000-5,000 miles and generally last 5 times longer compared to what you would experience with a standard bearing. CeramicSpeed headset bearings can be maintained once per year for most riders.

Why is my cranks creaking?

The most common cause of a squeaky crank is that the bolt is loose. Check for play in your cranks by pulling on one side and trying to wiggle it side to side. If there is play, check that your crank bolts are tight using a hex wrench—bolts should be hand-tight.

Can bottom brackets be adjusted?

Quote from video: And then to loosen you'd spin both cups towards the rear of the frame. And that is how you loosen or tighten or adjust your bottom bracket.

Why are my cranks clicking?

Quote from video: Похожие запросы

Does bottom bracket make a difference?

The major benefit to using a threaded bottom bracket is how much more secure the fitment is compared to a press fit system that is more likely to creek. It’s also easier to work on as a home mechanic as you only need a special wrench to remove/install it.

How long do ceramic bottom brackets last?

3,000-5,000 miles

CeramicSpeed Bottom Brackets and Wheel Bearings should be maintained every 5,000-8,000 km or 3,000-5,000 miles and generally last 5 times longer compared to what you would experience with a standard bearing. CeramicSpeed headset bearings can be maintained once per year for most riders.

Can you service a sealed bottom bracket?

Sealed Bearing Maintenance



The good news is that sealed cartridge bearings are serviceable, in fact it’s quicker, easier and requires fewer tools than re-packing a loose ball bottom bracket.

When should I replace my headset bearings?

If you’re experiencing play (unwanted movement) in your headset, or a rough grinding when you turn the bars, it’s likely that it’s time to service your headset or replace the headset bearings.

Should I grease headset bearings?

The headset bearings are one of the most common points to grease and it is advisable that in addition to greasing the bearings, you also grease the fork crown and in the frame where they sit, as well as the rest of the steering parts, but you must be careful not to grease the steerer tube at the point the stem is

How do you know if your headset is loose?

Quote from video: You can tell if your headset is loose. By holding the front brake. And rocking. It front and back you may feel a bit of play.