BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

okay so I'm having similar problems with my octalink setup. I did a deep cleaning of my bike earlier this summer and took out the BB for giggles. probably dumb, I know, but I cleaned it and regreased. Now the dumb thing creaks and pops all day long no matter how tight I tighten the crankarm bolts.

did I screw something up? I'm considering putting some locktite on the inside threads of the bb shell.

oh, related, are the splines on an octalink all the same size? Or is there one that is bigger or smaller for orientation?

Did you also clean the splines on the BB spindle and in the crankarm holes? Sometimes dirt in there can make noises. Can be tough to get out all the grit from those little angles.

Plumber's tape on the threads would be better than Loctite.

The splines are the same size (I think... relying on memory...), in fact I believe it's possible to misalign your cranks. So try to make sure they're oriented the right way!

wait... so they're the same size but it is possible to misalign?

the octalink bb in my touring bike is pretty much completely silent. Which is good because its seized.

you should be ok if you grease up the splines and bolt and tighten everything done appropriately.

Honestly mark, I'm surprised you can hear your bb over your rusted out chain.