Kaleidopete
Well-Known Member
Help me fix my squeak! This has been bugging me for a long time. I get a squeak, like an old swing set, only while pedaling, and usually
only when the left crank arm is down. The faster I pedal the faster the squeak.Usually every rotation. I have tried spray lube by the seals. Heavy spraying
seemed to fix it for a mile or so, but it soon returned. Could be that
was a coincidence. It squeaks 90% of the time. Hot or cold doesn't matter. It is not a wheel rotation squeak. Last week I had the LBS install new bottom bracket, Surly makes it a whole kit. See photo. Seals bearings spacer, the works. I still have the squeak. Today I thought I’d attack it myself, so I took the crank arm off and inspected it. Inside near the spline on the arm I saw a silver gouge in the black paint that was also deep into the arm itself. I thought that was it, so I filed it smooth and repainted it black. Put it back on and still the squeak. I removed the arm again and added another seal upside down so there were now two seals, and reinstalled. Still the squeak. I adjusted the bearing pre-load very tight and tried that. Still the squeak. I adjusted the bearing pre-load way way loose. Still the squeak. I had the pre-load so loose I could move the crank arms at least 5MM in either direction. Still the squeak, whichever way I moved the arms. It’s NOT the pedals either, I replaced them, still the squeak. Has anyone ever had this or have any other suggestions?
only when the left crank arm is down. The faster I pedal the faster the squeak.Usually every rotation. I have tried spray lube by the seals. Heavy spraying
seemed to fix it for a mile or so, but it soon returned. Could be that
was a coincidence. It squeaks 90% of the time. Hot or cold doesn't matter. It is not a wheel rotation squeak. Last week I had the LBS install new bottom bracket, Surly makes it a whole kit. See photo. Seals bearings spacer, the works. I still have the squeak. Today I thought I’d attack it myself, so I took the crank arm off and inspected it. Inside near the spline on the arm I saw a silver gouge in the black paint that was also deep into the arm itself. I thought that was it, so I filed it smooth and repainted it black. Put it back on and still the squeak. I removed the arm again and added another seal upside down so there were now two seals, and reinstalled. Still the squeak. I adjusted the bearing pre-load very tight and tried that. Still the squeak. I adjusted the bearing pre-load way way loose. Still the squeak. I had the pre-load so loose I could move the crank arms at least 5MM in either direction. Still the squeak, whichever way I moved the arms. It’s NOT the pedals either, I replaced them, still the squeak. Has anyone ever had this or have any other suggestions?
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