Jump to content

Crank Is A Bit Loose On The Left Side What Does This Mean?


earsy104

Recommended Posts

Check your freewheel isn't rubbing on your BB shell? If you've got square taper cranks, it's pretty easy to over-tighten them and have them sitting too far onto the spindle, so the freewheel will rub or your crank arms will hit the stays.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

oh yeah, that was the problem. pretty obvious really.

I have re-done it now, tightening the freewheel about a quarter turn each time before spinning the crank to make sure it was not rubbing. Seems to be fine now. I put a bit of thread lock on the bolt as well.

Thanks.

Edited by RandomHero
Link to comment
Share on other sites

back to the original poster....

the loosening might happen a few times if the cranks are new as it often takes a while for them to bed in properly.

It's not usually a problem on fancy cranks (because they're usually well made) but if you're running the boggo onza ones or similar and they're fairly new you should check both sides are tight every time you go out for a

ride.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I no i was a dick in this thread :shifty: BUT

my left crank arms been loose for months now!!!

The bolt is dont up *6 foot lead piping* tight....

someone said its my BB

But i was thinking could my bolt maybee be too short?? its not affecting my riding just kinda..... wobbly lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I no i was a dick in this thread :shifty: BUT

my left crank arms been loose for months now!!!

The bolt is dont up *6 foot lead piping* tight....

someone said its my BB

But i was thinking could my bolt maybee be too short?? its not affecting my riding just kinda..... wobbly lol

Maybe your tapers knackered?

Or the bearing in the bb has siezed/ buggered meaning the axle can move?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If this has already happened what you could do is get any drink can e.g sprite, coke lilt and cut it to the shape of the square bit where you join the crank to the bike, then with this inside the square bit push the crank arm on and there you go it wont do it. But make sure you keep it tight.

Cheers BIG L (Y)

no way this is to dangerous if the crank or the bottom brakets is starting to round there is no way to actualy prvent it rounding completley. placing a small shim in it just isnt going to hold the preasure of you doing trials on it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

back to the original poster....

the loosening might happen a few times if the cranks are new as it often takes a while for them to bed in properly.

It's not usually a problem on fancy cranks (because they're usually well made) but if you're running the boggo onza ones or similar and they're fairly new you should check both sides are tight every time you go out for a

ride.

i'd ahve thought either the bolt has stretched emaning it won't tighten correctly it does happen even to bolts that aren't stretch bolts

or the tapers have started to round off either way you should replace the part at blame and it will once more be safe to use :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I no i was a dick in this thread :shifty: BUT

my left crank arms been loose for months now!!!

The bolt is dont up *6 foot lead piping* tight....

someone said its my BB

But i was thinking could my bolt maybee be too short?? its not affecting my riding just kinda..... wobbly lol

It could just be raped BB bearings, unless you can actually see the play in your crank arm? My cranks are a tiny, tiny bit wobbly, just 'cos my Plat pro BB is slowly but surely shitting the bed. Try grabbing both the cranks near the BB spindle, then twist them in opposing directions so you waggle it around and see if you can feel anything then.

no way this is to dangerous if the crank or the bottom brakets is starting to round there is no way to actualy prvent it rounding completley.

It usually works pretty well. All that's going to happen is that the shims will deform slightly if they're too weak, but either way, it's not dangerous and it'll hold for a bit longer so you can sort out some money for some new cranks (Y)

You fell for it

He fell for it over 3 months ago, so you can probably leave him alone about it :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It could just be raped BB bearings, unless you can actually see the play in your crank arm? My cranks are a tiny, tiny bit wobbly, just 'cos my Plat pro BB is slowly but surely shitting the bed. Try grabbing both the cranks near the BB spindle, then twist them in opposing directions so you waggle it around and see if you can feel anything then.

No theres no play at all i know that! just a really tight bolt and a wobbly crank arm....... :closedeyes:

when i get a better paid job ill get a new BB see if that solves the problem maybe <_<

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Presumably this isnt your what your problem is but my bb bearings seized, meaning the axle was

rotating around the bit where it touches the bearing, gradually wearing it down.

It was fun, developed about a centimeter of play until i got fed up and changed it...

Take your crank arm off and see if the taper is still square or looks fooked in anyway.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I USED to have this problem... not anymore though :D i just got a got wrench some locktite thread lock and applide this to the threads on the bolt, tightend the crank to a good torque and its been fine ever since

good tip -- if you only have a short Alan key/spanner for tightening your cranks you wont be able to tighten them up enough, just get a long fairly strong hollow bit of pipe and put the Allen/spanner in there to get extra leverage

Hope this helps Ryan

(Y)(Y)(Y)(Y)(Y)(Y)(Y)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...