Play in Crank

[AdamA]

Hi guy's and gals.

I have a Giant Crank with 24mm spindle and there is some play between the crank arms. It's not like the Shimano cranks that have pinch bolts. It has a bolt similar to the octerlink cranks.

 

Is there some sort of paste I can put on the splines to stop the play?

 

The play is parallel to the wheels.

 

Thanks

[Martin PJ]

Can you post a picture of the crank. I have a lot of experience in play in cranks, which is unfortunately not good. Usually results in replacing the crank.

[AdamA]

Hi Martin, Thanks for the assistance 

 

I think it might come to that, but the crank is not on mt Primary Bike, it's on my 26" play bike.

 

 

 

Edited August 13, 2020 by AdamA

[Alouette3]

Is the play in the axle as in you can pull the axle in an out the bearings, or is it the crank on the axle, one side of the crank pulls in and out on the shaft, or a wiggle if you grab the end of the crank? Both cranks or just one side?

[JacBrand]

Does the crank have a pre load adjuster (between crank arm and bb on the crank axle)? Maybe this is not tightened correctly.

[AdamA]

Hi Alouette, Jac

 

The Drive Side is connected directly to the spindle ( Axel)

the Non drive side slides onto the spindle with splines (like the Octalink ) and bolts on with a Hex Bolt 

 

The play is 'forward and backward' not 'side to side' 

 

I think there might be some wear in the splines and I am wondering if anyone has used a Compound or Paste to buffer the splines and if so what did they use?

[DieselnDust]

Sounds like your bb is worn.

[AdamA]

Sounds like your bb is worn.

 

No BB is fine. 

[AdamA]

These are images from the web..

 

Pic 1 shows the splines on the spindle 

Pic 2 shows the splines on the crank Arm

 

The splines are bigger than that on Shimano (SLX/XT) but there are no pinch bolts like Shimano

 

If there were Pinch Bolts I would not have the problem.

[Butterbean]

But how would the splines wear? They don't really have an opportunity to, in normal use.

[Alouette3]

It's possible that some play has developed, used to be an issue on the octolink if I recall.

No paste would help, as the movement would squeeze the paste or compound out.

 

The pinch bolt is not required, my Raceface Aeffect crank just has one bolt that holds it all together, just like yours. 

 

You could be missing a  spacer or have a preload adjustment that you not aware of, preventing it from seating into the splines properly. Other thing is that you really need to crank that bolt on, the Torque spec on my unit is somewhere around 61nm!

[Martin PJ]

Silly question, this looks like GXP crank, has 24 mm diameter on drive side and 22 mm non drive side. I use GXP with Shimano BB, but you need 1 mm ring spacer.

[DieselnDust]

you;ll have ti make a short video of the play that you're refering to.

 

if a spacer is missing you will tighten the crank onto the end of the spline and the axwl will slide in and out of the bottom bracket.

 

for the crank to move in the way you're trying to describe will mean that either the crank bolt is not tightened properly or the bb bearing is shot.

 

If the axle is a GXP arrangement ( doesn't appear to have a step on the end) and the BB is a Shimano  then that can be a reason for the play. Did you replace the BB or have it serviced?

[droo]

But how would the splines wear? They don't really have an opportunity to, in normal use.

 

One ride with the bolt slightly loose and that spline is tickets.

 

It was an issue with older Raceface cranks of similar design.

[Andymann]

I would use a Loctite or similar retaining compound - note, not the usual thread locker but a retaining compound.  I have successfully used Loctite 660 Quick Metal in worn aluminium housings and it has been very successful.

 

The only negative is that it might be cheaper buying a new Crank than buying Loctite!

[AdamA]

Silly question, this looks like GXP crank, has 24 mm diameter on drive side and 22 mm non drive side. I use GXP with Shimano BB, but you need 1 mm ring spacer.

 

its 24mm both sides i.e. not GPX