Help with a loose crank

[cogman]

Hey guys, I just finished my exams (Im a student) and now I can finally spend some time fixing my bike , I realised that the crank is loose when I ride, how do I stop this from wobbling?

Here are some pictures of my bike...
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss247/cogman12345/DSC00573.jpg
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss247/cogman12345/DSC00574.jpg
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss247/cogman12345/DSC00575-1.jpg

Btw, there was originally a cap thingy on the otherside of the bicycle similar to the other side, It fell off when I was riding hehe

Thanks for your help

[nfmisso]

A 14mm socket is needed to tighten the nut; like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Zyklop-8790-Socket-Length/dp/B003GDIRB2/ and a wrench like this: http://www.amazon.com/8-Inch-Drive-Socket-Wrench-Breaker/dp/B002GQ8K6W/

but get a set if you don't have a metric set; like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-9-34740-Standard-Metric-Socket/dp/B00065SZTC/

Snap On is the best, and very expensive. S-K and Craftsman are excellent too. For the casual user much cheaper socket set will usually be okay. I have a mixture of Craftsman and cheapies from Harbor Frieght.

[cogman]

(06-18-2011, 06:33 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  A 14mm socket is needed to tighten the nut; like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Zyklop-8790-Socket-Length/dp/B003GDIRB2/ and a wrench like this: http://www.amazon.com/8-Inch-Drive-Socket-Wrench-Breaker/dp/B002GQ8K6W/

but get a set if you don't have a metric set; like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-9-34740-Standard-Metric-Socket/dp/B00065SZTC/

Snap On is the best, and very expensive. S-K and Craftsman are excellent too. For the casual user much cheaper socket set will usually be okay. I have a mixture of Craftsman and cheapies from Harbor Frieght.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cyclepro-Crank-Extractor-Cycle-Bike-Pedal-Arm-Remover-/220718284002?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D75​4711162428486839#ht_826wt_883


Would this be fine?, So all I have to do is tighten the nut right?

[nfmisso]

yes; if you have wrench to turn it with. That includes a tool for removing as well as tightening. But no wrench to turn it with.

I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Filzer-Crank-Multi-Tool-CMT-1/dp/B004FOG1AU/

But always use standard socket and ratchet to tighten the cranks as it is faster.

[cogman]

(06-19-2011, 10:51 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  yes; if you have wrench to turn it with. That includes a tool for removing as well as tightening. But no wrench to turn it with.

I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Filzer-Crank-Multi-Tool-CMT-1/dp/B004FOG1AU/

But always use standard socket and ratchet to tighten the cranks as it is faster.

Ahh I see, Well Ive ordered the product from ebay due to a shortage of money, and I was wondering do you think I could use an adjustable wrench to turn the bolt?.

something like this..http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LFTQUY/ref=asc_df_B000LFTQUY3357670?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B000LFTQUY

Cheers.

[nfmisso]

(06-26-2011, 09:25 AM)cogman Wrote:  

(06-19-2011, 10:51 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  yes; if you have wrench to turn it with. That includes a tool for removing as well as tightening. But no wrench to turn it with.

I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Filzer-Crank-Multi-Tool-CMT-1/dp/B004FOG1AU/

But always use standard socket and ratchet to tighten the cranks as it is faster.

Ahh I see, Well Ive ordered the product from ebay due to a shortage of money, and I was wondering do you think I could use an adjustable wrench to turn the bolt?.

something like this..http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LFTQUY/ref=asc_df_B000LFTQUY3357670?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B000LFTQUY

Cheers.

Should work, just take a long time... make sure you remove the bolt or nut holding on the crank arm. Take the tool apart, thread the part on to the arm all the way, then install the center piece, and turn slowly until the arm is pushed off.

The reason for taking the tool apart is to reduce the risk of cross threading; which if it happens, you'll need a gear puller or similar to get the crank arm off without damage to the bottom bracket. If you don't care about the bottom bracket, and lever will get the crank arm off.

[cogman]

(06-26-2011, 10:24 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  

(06-26-2011, 09:25 AM)cogman Wrote:  

(06-19-2011, 10:51 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  yes; if you have wrench to turn it with. That includes a tool for removing as well as tightening. But no wrench to turn it with.

I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Filzer-Crank-Multi-Tool-CMT-1/dp/B004FOG1AU/

But always use standard socket and ratchet to tighten the cranks as it is faster.

Ahh I see, Well Ive ordered the product from ebay due to a shortage of money, and I was wondering do you think I could use an adjustable wrench to turn the bolt?.

something like this..http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LFTQUY/ref=asc_df_B000LFTQUY3357670?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B000LFTQUY

Cheers.

Should work, just take a long time... make sure you remove the bolt or nut holding on the crank arm. Take the tool apart, thread the part on to the arm all the way, then install the center piece, and turn slowly until the arm is pushed off.

The reason for taking the tool apart is to reduce the risk of cross threading; which if it happens, you'll need a gear puller or similar to get the crank arm off without damage to the bottom bracket. If you don't care about the bottom bracket, and lever will get the crank arm off.

I thought I was only tightening the bolt? , Are you suggesting to remove the whole crank ? :O

[cyclerUK]

(06-19-2011, 07:06 AM)cogman Wrote:  

(06-18-2011, 06:33 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  A 14mm socket is needed to tighten the nut; like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Zyklop-8790-Socket-Length/dp/B003GDIRB2/ and a wrench like this: http://www.amazon.com/8-Inch-Drive-Socket-Wrench-Breaker/dp/B002GQ8K6W/

but get a set if you don't have a metric set; like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-9-34740-Standard-Metric-Socket/dp/B00065SZTC/

Snap On is the best, and very expensive. S-K and Craftsman are excellent too. For the casual user much cheaper socket set will usually be okay. I have a mixture of Craftsman and cheapies from Harbor Frieght.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cyclepro-Crank-Extractor-Cycle-Bike-Pedal-Arm-Remover-/220718284002?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D75​4711162428486839#ht_826wt_883


Would this be fine?, So all I have to do is tighten the nut right?

This tool can be used to remove and also tighten when putting back on.
I would remove the crank-arm, clean and very lightly grease the crank.
Replace arm and tighten.
This tool will still need a wrench as well.

[nfmisso]

(06-26-2011, 01:35 PM)cyclerUK Wrote:  .....
This tool can be used to remove and also tighten when putting back on.
I would remove the crank-arm, clean and very lightly grease the crank.
Replace arm and tighten.
This tool will still need a wrench as well.

+1

[cogman]

(06-26-2011, 01:35 PM)cyclerUK Wrote:  

(06-19-2011, 07:06 AM)cogman Wrote:  

(06-18-2011, 06:33 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  A 14mm socket is needed to tighten the nut; like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Wera-Zyklop-8790-Socket-Length/dp/B003GDIRB2/ and a wrench like this: http://www.amazon.com/8-Inch-Drive-Socket-Wrench-Breaker/dp/B002GQ8K6W/

but get a set if you don't have a metric set; like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-9-34740-Standard-Metric-Socket/dp/B00065SZTC/

Snap On is the best, and very expensive. S-K and Craftsman are excellent too. For the casual user much cheaper socket set will usually be okay. I have a mixture of Craftsman and cheapies from Harbor Frieght.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cyclepro-Crank-Extractor-Cycle-Bike-Pedal-Arm-Remover-/220718284002?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D75​4711162428486839#ht_826wt_883


Would this be fine?, So all I have to do is tighten the nut right?

This tool can be used to remove and also tighten when putting back on.
I would remove the crank-arm, clean and very lightly grease the crank.
Replace arm and tighten.
This tool will still need a wrench as well.

Sorry to be difficult, but is it just possible just to tighten the bolt on its own without removing the whole crank?

[nfmisso]

(06-26-2011, 03:56 PM)cogman Wrote:  Sorry to be difficult, but is it just possible just to tighten the bolt on its own without removing the whole crank?

maybe, maybe not. It is not worth it to do so.

Bottom line, riding around on it loose may have trashed the crank, and you may never be able to tighten it properly. If that did occur, you can sometimes salvage it with a shim (a layer of aluminum foil) on one of the faces.

[cyclerUK]

[/quote] Sorry to be difficult, but is it just possible just to tighten the bolt on its own without removing the whole crank?
[/quote]

Basically Yes.
But I would remove the bolt and make sure there is a washer under it.
If the crank is loose then it may come off with a tug anyway?
You still need a good socket / tool to tighten the bolt though.

[cogman]

Sorry to be difficult, but is it just possible just to tighten the bolt on its own without removing the whole crank?
[/quote]

Basically Yes.
But I would remove the bolt and make sure there is a washer under it.
If the crank is loose then it may come off with a tug anyway?
You still need a good socket / tool to tighten the bolt though.
[/quote]



Right, So I tried to tighten the bolt, and it was already tight... so then I thought there must be something inside thats making it wobble, I took it apart to find broken bearing cages!, and a whole load of gunk on some of the parts which I cleaned. Can anyone advise me what to do now? :|

Thanks

[Joe_W]

Inspect the races for damage (pitting), both the axle and the hub shell. Carefully measure the balls, get replacement loose balls, as they are really cheap, get more than you think you'll need. Follow instructions at http://bikeride.com/bottom-bracket/ to reassemble and set up.

[Bill]

If I could see the type of bike (manufacturer and model) I maybe able to see the parts you need.

[nfmisso]

note, with loose balls, your will need 20% to 50% more balls than were in the cages (same size balls) which will result in a significant increase in strength and stiffness. My project bikes without a sealed BB get loose balls, no cages. Sheldon Brown has a good discussion on this also. I use grease intended for boat trailer wheel bearings; inexpensive and will last for a very long time.

[Painkiller]

Chances are the spindle and races are pitted, inspect close. if you want the best quality repair and plan to keep the bike replace it with new spindle and cups or a cartridge style bottom bracket

[nfmisso]

Your safest easiest route is to get one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-BB-UN54-Bottom-Bracket-118mm/dp/B000QSUVIC/
make sure you get the right size.