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XT cranks cracking noise


Cotic Tony's picture

By Cotic Tony - Posted on 11 November 2011

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Hi all. I am running 2009 & 2010 XT cranks on my bikes and have always noticed a loud "crack" noise every so often when applying power again after a bit of rolling.
It doesn't happen all the time but it's annoying. I suspect that it's the chain seating on the teeth but obviously can't prove it.
Any idea's?
BB is fine
Cheers Tony

tdunster's picture

It sounds more like the crank boss and spindle are not sufficiently lubricated.

Pull the cranks off, clean the old grease off crank bosses and the spindle.

Now you can either re-grease it with HTB grease (Castrol make a reasonably good one) and put it all back together.

Or you can use anti-seize (You can get a tub from Repco) rather than grease which is what I find best.

Anti Seize doesn't attract as much debris, is unaffected by water / moisture, and as a result makes your cranks pretty much silent - not too mention easier to get off when the time comes to do it all again.

cheers.

Cotic Tony's picture

Cheers for that, I'll give it a go but as this is the second BB these cranks have seen I don't hold much hope. What are you referring to by "boss" though?
All the best T

muvro's picture

I would say he's refering to the spline that the non drive side crank arm slides onto. Slide it off and smear some lube on the spline then put it back on.

If it continues to occur, try putting a bit of lube behind and on the threads of all the chainring bolts.

BIGnige's picture

Yeah do it. Take it apart and re-grease everything including chainring bolts. Mine sounded terrible until I did that and now silent...a miracle.

Cotic Tony's picture

I'm going for the rings first then will test. If it fixes it I'll know that it was that.
Hoping for that miracle!
T

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