Moutian bike guys..

[Heypal]

I have a Specialized Hard Rock, around 6-8 years old. When I pedal the bike, I get an annoying "creak" from the crank area of the bike. Drives me nuts. Had it in and he told me the pedals were junk. Bought new ones, same result. Would like to take the crank appart to maintenance the bearings but looks like a special tool is required to remove the threaded ring holding it together. Any sugestions on how to remedy this?

 

[Blacktooth]

Sounds like a loose crank or bad crank bearings. Get the tool or take to the bike shop.

 

[HawkShot99]

My Specialized Rock Hopper has done the same thing for a long time.....it is anoying......

 

[AkHockey10]

Are you 100% positive its coming from the crank?

My dad has an 04 Hard Rock and it did that too and the only way keep the noise to a minimum is to leave the gear in "2" and dont ever take it out! weird.

 

[HawkShot99]

Are you 100% positive its coming from the crank?

My dad has an 04 Hard Rock and it did that too and the only way keep the noise to a minimum is to leave the gear in "2" and dont ever take it out! weird.

I know mine comes from the crank area, and does it in every gear. but only when I am applying alot of pressure, not when just barely moving slowly spinning.

 

[Heypal]

I know mine comes from the crank area, and does it in every gear. but only when I am applying alot of pressure, not when just barely moving slowly spinning.

Yes, mine is exactly the same. I have a buddy that works at a bike shop. Will have to take it in and see what he says.

 

[AkHockey10]

Instead of messing with crank... just sell it and buy a Kona or a Yeti!

 

[TIM]

most cranks need a crank puller to take off of the spindle that the cranks attatch to. Sometimes taking the cranks off and putting them back on will take the squeek out. dirt, sand, etc get in there. To take the bottom bracket out you will also need a special tool. They are pretty cheap. If the bike is that old and the bottom bracket hasn't been replaced it might be time to do that. I also use to take the peddles apart, clean and reassemble. That was when i was young and had time. Mountain bikes need lots of maintence.

If you get play in your cranks you can shim them with cut up pop cans. Another area to look at for squeeks is where your seat post goes into the frame. Alittle bit of grease will take care of this. just a little bit though.

Don't spray the bottom bracket area with a hose. this forces water into the bearings. Bottom brackets have been sealed for the last 10-12 years, they are dang near impossible to rebuild. Just buy a new one and thread in.

if you can't tell i have 3 moutain bikes and a road bike. i like to peddle. lol

tim

 

[xc700flatlander]

The best way to remedy the situation is to pull out bottom bracket and put a little grease on the threads. I guarantee this is the reason you only hear the noise when you peddle hard. You may need a new bottom bracket, but this is a quick fix that should take care of the problem.

 

[Heypal]

Okay, what exactly IS the bottom bracket?? The area where the crank shaft is located??

 

[captain_stuck]

Your bottom bracket is the device which sits in the bottom of your frame connecting your cranks together. Esssentially it is a bearing housings with machined ends which your cranks fit onto. As mention above, they do fail and are fairly cheap to replace and should be replaced with that kind of age. And yes as mentioned some require special tools to do the job. If you get in to the bike shop now before busy season hits they can most likely do it in a day for you.

 

[yammadog]

The best way to remedy the situation is to pull out bottom bracket and put a little grease on the threads. I guarantee this is the reason you only hear the noise when you peddle hard. You may need a new bottom bracket, but this is a quick fix that should take care of the problem.

This is pretty much the problems that I saw as I switched from BMX to mtn bike....creaking!! Dust and dirt and bit of movement you get with aluminum cranks is annoying, I fixed it by spraying lube on the crank arms by the bolt that keeps it on and the problem went away. Just pull them and clean them everyonce in a while as the lube and dirt/dust will build up.......I eventually switched to chromo and got rid of the aluminum....

 

[Rubberdown!]

I had the same issue with my Cannondale Killer V,,,,turns out the chain was the issue...Lube or replace and see what happens....

 

[JDKZRT]

As mention above, they do fail and are fairly cheap to replace

-- don't go cheap. This is one area you get what you pay for on a bike.

 

[snopropanther]

should've bought a norco

 

[MN_Nole]

Okay, what exactly IS the bottom bracket?? The area where the crank shaft is located??

yes the bottom bracket is the crank shaft. which seems to be the problem bearing/area. As others have said, don't go cheap in the bearing replacement as this is the area, that get the abuse.. I went big on the crank and shaft, and went with what ever on the bearings, then they took a chit so...