Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Time for new BB bearings?
#1
I have an integrated bottom bracket (FSA with MegaExo), and it has developed some play in the direction of the spindle. Everything else feels solid...no grittiness when I turn the crank...doesn't rock...just has slight play in the one direction. Is it time for new bottom bracket bearings?
  Reply
#2
is there any preload adjustment?

well made sealed bearings will out last all of us, if they are properly supported and preloaded.
Nigel
  Reply
#3
So I found out what the problem is. According to the guys at my LBS, there is a known problem with FSA cranksets that were made about 5-6 years ago (ironically about the same time mine was made!), where the single bolt that holds the non-drive-side crank arm onto the spindle is slightly too long and it bottoms out before it achieves proper pre-load. The bolt will feel tight, but will start to loosen ever so slightly, allowing the crank to slightly shift along the axis of the spindle. FSA actually sent out a bolt to whomever registered their cranks to fix this problem.

Additionally, when they took mine apart today, they commented that the bearings in the bottom bracket cup had forced themselves onto the taper of the spindle, and are basically press-fitted onto the crank itself, so they are removed from the bottom bracket cups whenever the crank is removed. I had noticed this the few times I took my crank apart, but thought that's how FSA's are designed, so didn't think anything of it.

Anyway, they had an Ultegra crank that didn't have any chainrings on it sitting around because a prior customer didn't want it, so they sold me that, new bottom bracket cups, and transferred my existing chainrings onto it, so I'm back on the road Big Grin
  Reply
#4
Because of the problems I have heard with FSA I really am not a big fan anyways Sad. Thanks for sharing that. Smile
Good maintenance to your Bike, can make it like the wheels are, true and smooth!
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
3,986
02-07-2022, 02:46 PM
Last Post: Jesper
 
4,005
08-30-2021, 03:46 AM
Last Post: Poissonj1
 
21,443
05-26-2015, 02:31 PM
Last Post: eric1023
 
49,168
01-13-2015, 12:13 PM
Last Post: joseph wolf man
 
17,173
11-06-2014, 08:59 AM
Last Post: JanJ
 
9,794
10-20-2014, 04:52 PM
Last Post: DaveM
 
20,759
09-16-2014, 01:39 PM
Last Post: GeorgeET

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
braking by reversing the pedals
Yesterday 07:04 PM
Post-Ride Nutrition
Yesterday 02:06 AM
🚴‍♂️ Saddle Up for the Belgian Waffle Ri...
Yesterday 02:03 AM
Pre Ride Food Intake
Yesterday 12:14 AM
SAVA Explorer 6061?
04-02-2025 03:31 PM
Zwift v Spin v Wahoo
04-01-2025 05:59 PM
Have you Ever Tried an Electric Bike?
04-01-2025 05:07 PM
Good Morning from SW Ohio
04-01-2025 07:32 AM
(So California) PV Dr to be closed to bi...
03-31-2025 09:14 PM
Tubeless vs. tubes: What are the pros an...
03-31-2025 08:28 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
22 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
18 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
12 posts
no avatar 4. Jake1
11 posts
no avatar 5. SPINMAN
8 posts