I keep hearing a loud clicking noise when I pedal. I can feel it in my feet so I think it's coming from the middle bit in between the pedal arms.
I tried using a spanner to remove it but I can't get it into the hole to properly grip the bolt.
Does anyone know what sort of tool I need?
by BileAndAcid
5 Comments
If your asking this question then your probably better taking it to your lbs they appreciate the business plus you know it’s going to be done right, changing a bottom bracket isn’t easy if you haven’t the tools to do it and it’s probably not worth buying bottom bracket removal tool a socket to get the bolt out a crank extractor tool then the hassle if it’s seized, so local bike shop I’d say
You shouldn’t rush to assume it’s the bottom bracket making the noise. It’s sometimes surprising to find out where such noises are actually coming from.
To check the bottom bracket, turn the bike upside down and rest it on the bars and seat (assuming you don’t have a workstand). Take the chain off of the chainring, and rest it on the bottom bracket shell.
Give the cranks a spin. They should spin many times freely.
Stand at one side of the bike, in one hand hold one crankarm, and in the other hand hold the other crankarm. Rock and pull on the crankarms very strongly, put your back into it. You should not feel any looseness or rocking.
If it passes this test, it’s probably not the BB.
It could be your pedal bearings on one side. If you have another set of pedals, put those on and take a ride, and see if the sound goes away.
It could even be a loose spoke. Strum the spokes like a harp and check if any are loose.
Can’t tell from the pic, is the bike a singlespeed?
If you want to replace the bottom bracket, that’s essentially what you need, but make sure that the new bottom bracket type fits the frame and that the shaft has the right length to get the correct chain line. you also need a 1/4 to 1/2 adapter for the wrench so it fits the bottom bracket tool.
https://preview.redd.it/tktnun0pfqnf1.png?width=3848&format=png&auto=webp&s=0fc2228108731ed5441835a636bf28b3a0ec3e18
Grab the pedal. Wiggle side to side. Can you feel any movement in the pedal to crankarm ? Or does the crank arm wiggle ?
Look up “square taper” crankset for more info.
you can check that the bottom bracket & cup are torqued correctly and if the BB itself is worn out by pushing+pulling the crank arms perpendicular to the frame, do so in a few orientations of the cranks to get an idea in multiple angles.
like others have noted, it could be many things other than the BB. good luck.