crank clicking sound

[manlyman]

Help please... I'm getting a clicking sound on the right hand side of my crank (or around that area). It clicks around 5 - 6 o'clock. What could this be and how do I fix it?

[Kenzo]

- cut the green wire
- ride at 3 o'clock instead
- could be the front derrailleur cable sticking out to the non drive side and clicking on the crank arm or
- loose crank bolt or
- bottom bracket thread needing maintenance or
- (believe it or not) the seat post needing a bit of lube in the seat tube... Or maybe even the saddle itself (as was the case with my Fizik Nisene saddle).

[kb]

Could also be pedal/pedal threads. Hopefully not knees...

[Mulger bill]

Throw a loose rear wheel QR onto the list of things to check too...

[boss]

Kenzo has given you some good points to start from - particularly crank bolt tension. But my 2c...

I recently bought a 2nd hand roadie that had SPD-SL pedals, but I didn't have SPD-SL cleats/shoes.

In the meantime I put some flat pedals with toe clips on, and the non drive side would click under heavy load.

I was worried the BB was dead but turns out the flat pedals were shagged.

[ColinOldnCranky]

One possibility that I don't think has been mentioned is the crank needs pulling back onto the axle. Quite possible on a square taper crank. I don't know about splined cranks.

Loosen it off the axle, knock the crank free from binding to the axle and then retighten well in the normal manner.

If it is the problem then riding in the meantime can result in the need for a small bank loan to get a new crank. The axle will be fine.

[manlyman]

Thanks for the tips guys I will look into those areas.

[Mrfenejeans]

Loose cleats.

[jpgibson]

Chainring bolts too. I replaced my BB thinking thats where the noise was- it was a busted rear hub! Also put a dob of grease on the pedals where the cleats sit- often clicks there too.
Sheldon Browns site has a section on this too

[manlyman]

Ended up on being a partially broken tooth on the largest chain ring. Thanks for the tips

[Kenzo]

That's a new one ... thanks for the update!

[manlyman]

I pulled everything part. Serviced. Lubed and back together. Tightened. Still happened. I saw one of the tooth's was half broken and sure enough when it was at 5 o'clock it has a lot of force on it and slips etc. I tested it my moving the chain ring around and it still happened in a new spot. It is a bike from 2004 so it was just in need of a replacement.