Clunk in Bottom Bracket

[drevil]

Hi there

I have a Giant Elwood SE about 1 year old, and I have developed a clunk in the bottom bracket area.

I first notoced it anout 2-3 months after I bought it and I took it back to the LBS for them to check. The guy there repacked the BB and said all was good, but soon after I could feel the slightest clunk as I pedalled.

Sometimes I thought I was imagining it because it was so slight, but it's deninitely there now and getting more noticeable. It happens during a pedal stroke and it seems more on the LHS. If I rotate the crank backwards and then apply pressure as if I'm about to ride off (but keep my brakes on) I feel it then also.

Any ideas? I'd like to have a go at it myself if I can.

[beauyboy]

I had the same problem after the accident on my discovery. Best bet take it back to the bike shop. It should still be under warrenty. In mine they replace the BB with a higher end vertion they seam to get rid of the problem.

Donald

[Halfanewb]

Welcome to the forums

I had a similar problem with my first bike , actually it was no different from when i was a young whipper snapper , thing is i grind out the bearings and when they wear they need repacking/replacing , and from then on its wash rinse repeat.

In these modern times they have a solution to this vexing problem - a after market sealed bearing cartridge , they are heaps tougher, wear longer and are a low cost solution, i think mine was $27.

[tuco]

I had mine in to fix a clicking noise (not a clunk but then I haven't hand cranked it to feel for a clunk) in the BB on Tuesday also in the left side.

They said water had caused the problem and they reckon they fixed it. Today was the first time back on the bike and the noise was still there. They obviously didn't test ride it.

[MJF]

I had clicking noises, first on one side, then both - turned out to be loose bearings in the pedals. Drove me insane until I worked out what was causing it.

[Mulger bill]

G'Day Drevil, welcome

Sounds like it could be the crank arm is a little loose on the BB spindle, you may be able to tighten it, but it may need a specialist tool depending on type.
If it's getting worse, it may be that the steel spindle has damaged the alloy crankarm, especially with a square taper spindle.
Clicking and clunking in this area is one of the hardest thing to remote diagnose, it could be as simple as loose chainring bolts or as evil as a stripped thread in the BB shell or anything in between

Good luck mate, but I'd let the LBS have a look unless you have the right tools for a strip and clean of the BB/Crankset assembly.

Shaun

[drevil]

OK, got the beast at the lbs...guy there said they can do 2 things. Either repack the bearings and adjust the BB for about $20-25, or for $49 they can replace the BB with a cartridge style that is sealed & won't need servicing every 6 months like I am now.

I decided to go for the new BB and see how long I get...I'm picking her up this afternoon.

[drevil]

I know everyone's been waiting for this, so I'll just put it out there. The Woody rides like new. The new BB is great and smooth-as.

Thank you all for your emails.

[pospete]

I know everyone's been waiting for this, so I'll just put it out there. The Woody rides like new. The new BB is great and smooth-as.

Thank you all for your emails.

time to party then!

[jimmy]

yer mate you should get that looked at pretty quick, i had a problem like that once and ended up cooking the teeth on the spindle and needed to replace the cranks