Creaky BB-5500

IdahoBrett

IdahoBrett

Well-Known Member
A few months ago I installed a new Shimano 105 BB-5500. On my ‘01 R400. I’ve got about 350 miles (563km’s) on it. For the last 100 miles (160 km’s) it has begun to creak. Only under load. No noise in a bike stand. Nothing seems loose. It seems to be getting worse with each ride (Could be it is bugging me more).

Do I disassemble to investigate? Or keep on riding?
 
JohnnyD

JohnnyD

Well-Known Member
IdahoBrett said:
A few months ago I installed a new Shimano 105 BB-5500. On my ‘01 R400. I’ve got about 350 miles (563km’s) on it. For the last 100 miles (160 km’s) it has begun to creak. Only under load. No noise in a bike stand. Nothing seems loose. It seems to be getting worse with each ride (Could be it is bugging me more).

Do I disassemble to investigate? Or keep on riding?
Click to expand...
Finding the source of a creak can be very very very tedious, almost as much as it is annoying. I thought my BB was the source of my creaking on my Habit, turns out it is the dropper seat post that is the source. Even after a full rebuild on it, there is just enough play in the seat post to cause an annoying creak. I haven't gotten off my butt to buy another dropper post though, I just don't ride the bike much to make it worth while.
My suggestion would be to dissassemble the crank, check the to see if there is any play in it the spindle, double check that it is properly engaging the splines as well. I recall the the first version of octal-link had some complaints with proper engagement of the splines. Never hurts to double check everything before going the route of replacing the BB.
 
IdahoBrett

IdahoBrett

Well-Known Member
After making the post I checked the fixing bolts on the crank arms. They weren’t loose but I did get movement. I gave them a simulated torque, applicable to the specified torque, using just an allen wrench. Unfortunately I don’t own metric allen sockets, so I can’t check with a torque wrench. I checked chain ring bolts, pedals, etc. Couldn’t find anything else. I got busy reworking the serrated plate for the saddle angle adjuster and putting on new tires. So I did not find time for a test ride.
 
JohnnyD

JohnnyD

Well-Known Member
Don't own metric allen sockets yet. I bought my set years ago for automotive use, I don't think I will ever see a 19mm allen bolt on a bike anytime soon. Well maybe with the silly new bikes with 32" and 36" tires we might get them..

Sounds like you have checked all the other things I can think of the might also cause the noise. What finally clued me into checking the dropper post was when I didn't hear the noise while pedaling uphill while I was off the saddle. It's crazy how that 1-2mm of rotational motion in the nose of the seat makes such noise while pedalling under load.
Another thing to check could also be the hub bearings and/or freehub. Until I replaced both of my Mavic wheelsets bushings with ceramic bearing kits from the Hub Doctor, they also caused some drivetrain creaking noise that was only noticible under power, not in the stand. Not that you would have that issue if you don't have Mavic ITS hubs, but as you know from your line of work. Anything that moves can and will make noise or fail if not installed or working properly. It's much easier and cheaper to double check everything than it is to use the shotgun approach and start replacing parts en masse.
 
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letsbike

letsbike

Well-Known Member
I've worn out plenty of bottom brackets over the years, mostly due to riding in wet and salty conditions, so a few years back when I felt and heard a drivetrain creak I had the BB pegged for sure, and of course it was the first part I replaced. A few months of sleuthing the still present condition found the cassette body to be the real culprit.
I'm still holding onto the original BB, just in case.;)
 

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