Cleaning BB, Am I asking for trouble?

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I've just got back from a ride (damn, it's hot!) and every time I came out of the saddle, I heard an ugly noise. It's the second time its happened now. The last time, I took it into my LBS and they told me they just needed to grease the Bottom bracket. I got the impression it wasn't a big job and was thinking about trying to do it myself. I've got campag and was wondering if anyone could tell me if this is a minor task or would i be better taking it into the LBS? I had a look on park tool but couldn't find instructions for doing it. If anyone could tell me the tools I'll need also, that'd be great.
Cheers

It will depend on the model BB and whether or not is a loose ball arrangement or the newer sealed BB's.

Brackets tend to use specialised tools. If you dont have the specific tools I'd recommend you get the bike shop to do it.

I've just got back from a ride (damn, it's hot!) and every time I came out of the saddle, I heard an ugly noise. It's the second time its happened now. The last time, I took it into my LBS and they told me they just needed to grease the Bottom bracket. I got the impression it wasn't a big job and was thinking about trying to do it myself. I've got campag and was wondering if anyone could tell me if this is a minor task or would i be better taking it into the LBS? I had a look on park tool but couldn't find instructions for doing it. If anyone could tell me the tools I'll need also, that'd be great.
Cheers Don't want to sound negative but if the brackets quite old it may be seized. I'm older and wiser now (I think!) but an MTB I once had for 7 years never had the seat pin moved, and when I came to move it it was completely stuck and nothing could shift it. I finished up scrapping the bike after half-destroying the frame.:o

If it's already making an ugly noise, it's probably too late, but it's worth having a go. Obviously, if it is a cartridge BB, you simply throw it away and install another. You didn't mean that it is clicking, and your LBS told you to grease the cup threads?

If it's already making an ugly noise, it's probably too late, but it's worth having a go. Obviously, if it is a cartridge BB, you simply throw it away and install another. You didn't mean that it is clicking, and your LBS told you to grease the cup threads?
That must be it. I took it in last time and it was no worries the next day. Is that a relatively minor job or safer to drop it in at the LBS? It's less than two years old so I'm hoping it isn't time to replace.

That must be it. I took it in last time and it was no worries the next day. Is that a relatively minor job or safer to drop it in at the LBS? It's less than two years old so I'm hoping it isn't time to replace.
The tools required would cost more than getting it done several times by the LBS, and you need to know what you are doing. Having said that, it is quite an easy job and I wouldn't dream of getting the LBS to do it for one of my bikes.

The tools required would cost more than getting it done several times by the LBS, and you need to know what you are doing. Having said that, it is quite an easy job and I wouldn't dream of getting the LBS to do it for one of my bikes.
My housemate has a tool set but is os so i can't really get his advice. What are the tools needed for it? I've got campag parts if that's relevant. I figured I might as well have a go at it and take it into the LBS if i stuff it up. Am I at risk of doing any major damage?

You will need a crank puller and a BB tool specific for your BB. A torque wrench is desirable, but I have never used one. If parts are not removed and reinserted correctly, you could damage your BB shell thread (ie your frame), your BB and/or your cranks. The BB cups may have a reverse (left-hand) thread on one side - I don't know a great deal about Campy parts. Have a look at www.parktool.com/repair/

Campagnolo generally requires an 8mm allen key to undo the crank bolts, a crank extractor, a specific bracket tool that has splines to fit into the bracket to undo it, and a big shifter or spanner to turn the crank extractor and BB tool.

A cheap crank extractor would probably cost $10-40 and the Campagnolo specific BB tool about the same IIRC.

Crank extracator (this is a cheap one)
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T7450

Campagnolo bracket tool
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T4420

Campag tool for cheaper groupsets
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T4425

My housemate has a tool set but is os so i can't really get his advice. What are the tools needed for it? I've got campag parts if that's relevant. I figured I might as well have a go at it and take it into the LBS if i stuff it up. Am I at risk of doing any major damage?
Errrm, don't do that. How about you take it down to the LBS and ask if they can show you what they do, so that you will know for next time?

Errrm, don't do that. How about you take it down to the LBS and ask if they can show you what they do, so that you will know for next time?
I have been sufficiently worried out of attempting it (probably for the best). Off to the LBS I go. Cheers Art, Classic, Matagi for the advice.