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Crank bolt coming loose


fat stacks's picture

By fat stacks - Posted on 20 December 2012

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

Hi everyone

I've recently experienced the driveside crank bolt undoing itself while riding and I'm interested in people's experience, thoughts and recommendations about the issue. I'm riding a HT 29er with Shimano M430 Octalink crankset and Shimano ES25 BB. The bike is just over 12 months old. The issue first came to light about 6 weeks ago when I noticed some play in the cranks during a ride as well as being unable to shift into the big chain ring. Got home, discovered the loose crank bolt and re-tightened. Subsequent rides were fine and post-ride inspections didn't reveal any play or other issues. However, last weekend during a 12 hour adventure race, the bolt came loose on 2 occasions. I re-tightened the bolt during the race, but by the end of the event, the bolt was really loose with a lot of play in the cranks. I've since removed the cranks at home and completely de-greased, cleaned, greased and re-installed the cranks. The value range on my torque wrench isn't high enough for this component, so I've only ever hand tightened crank bolts "as hard as I can" Smiling There was no visual sign of damage to the splines in the cranks or on the spindle and the BB itself seems fine (ie: no tightness, no play, no "grinding" noises). The threads in the cranks and on the spindle also looked ok. The bike gets ridden 2-3 times a week and I do enduro mtb events and adventure races on it. I would describe it as regularly and well-maintained. My plan is to hit the trails this weekend to see if the problem repeats itself, but I'd really like to hear people's thoughts or experience. For example, is it time to think about a new/higher spec crankset?

Thanks in advance.
Paul

MrMez's picture

Not familiar with that type of BB, but is it something that could benefit from thread lock?

On non heated components we often used to use a drop of clear silicon as it tends to do the same, deals with vibrations and comes undone with just a little extra force.

The Hollowtech cranks I use have no drive side bolts, but the NDS has 2 opposing bolts that come greased.

cryline's picture

I had my LX drisveside crank come loose a couple times. Use some loctite and it'll be fine. Google searches told me it was a semi common problem with the LX crank

Oldernslower's picture

Beg borrow or perloin a torque wrench - otherwise you just guessing. Check the thread on the bolt isn't distorted (slightly skewed on the tightening side) by overtightening. Get the instructions for the crank installation (probably online if you don't have them) and follow the instructions, including greasing or loctite if recommended. If still comes undone then you may have a warranty issue if under warrantee. Alternately take the bike to the shop purchased from and get them to fix it under warranty. I assume you did take it back for the free service?

fat stacks's picture

I used instructions from the Park Tool website http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/crank-r... for removal and installation. There isn't mention of loctite, but as suggested by you and others, this should make a difference. I also think I'll have a better online search for the specific instructions for my crankset model. Yes, the bike did go back for it's initial free service at the shop and has generally been serviced by them. I have been venturing into doing more maintenance/servicing myself and I wonder whether that would affect the warranty??

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts everyone. Next step, loctite Smiling

Oldernslower's picture

Here ya go:
BB-ES25 http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/conte...

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/conte...

Shimano M430 Octalink FM 430
http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/conte...

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/conte...

It doesn't say thread lock but does say grease on BB threads. And if you use thread lock make sure it is the non hardening type. (think its 243?)

HTH

fat stacks's picture

Cheers Oldernslower including the tip re: non-hardening thread lock.

Thanks again everyone and best wishes for the season. Hope you all get to hit the trails.
Paul

Oldernslower's picture

Bloody thing timed out as was making correction!!

Was it the crank arm bolt that came loose or the whole BB in which case it was the adapter that came loose which needs 50 to 70 NM torque. and the correct exploding view was -

http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/conte...

HTH

fat stacks's picture

No worries. All the links are useful information. It was just the crank arm bolt. The BB seems fine.

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