[JStergis]

Hi everyone-

I have a Schwinn 26" Mountain Bike. A couple weeks ago, the bike started making clicking noises (not at the same spot in the revolution) while pedaling hard. These come and go a lot, one day it will do it a lot, another I don't notice it.

The bike is used quite heavily, (10 miles per day, almost every day) on mostly rough paved roads or dirt roads, since I try any way to avoid Route 143 The "Highway in Peru".

All it seems to be is a noise coming from beneath me, probably the pedaling area, but I'm not totally sure. There is no feeling in the pedaling when it makes the noises. It almost sounds like little pebels rattling around.

Anyone know how to fix it?

Thanks,
J.S.

[SouthParkXP101]

may be a bad bearing? i would take it to a shop and see if that may be the problem

[Guyzer]

Originally Posted by southparkxp101

may be a bad bearing? i would take it to a shop and see if that may be the problem

Pick up the front end and spin the wheel. Then do the same with the rear. Then while holding up the rear turn the wheel by using the pedals. That might eliminate a few things by you being able to hear what's actually going on with the bearings.

[Mulderator]

Tighten everything. Every bolt you see on the bike, tighten it. Lube all of the moving components (or spray with a good Silicon Lubrican--don't use WD-40). Chances are that will fix it.

[JStergis]

It's not doing it much at all, but I still notice it a little. I thought it was a bearing or two loose, but I can't check because once I get the initial dust cup and bolt off, some tool is required to get to the bearing cups that I don't have.

It only does it while actually pedaling, Wimpy, but it's hard to get it to do it at all because it generally only does it when you're pedeling hard. I put it in a higher gear an got it to do it though.

I am going out soon to try your suggestion, Mulder. I'll hope it works.

[thecoalman]

Might be a tight link(s) in the chain, easiest way to check is to pedal it backwards. They don't go through the derailleur very easy, also the easiest way to find out where it is.

If you find one just flex the chain back and forth the way it's not supposed to bend wherever the tightness is. If that doesn't work pry the link open a little bit with a screwdriver.

[JStergis]

Do you mean it will flex when pedeling backward if there's a stiff link? I don't think it does this, but I'll check again.

I took the dust caps off the pedals and tightened those bolts along with both wheels and everything else I found. I put some oil on the chain and such and it's still doing it.

Actually, I'm going around 4 miles now because I have to go out, I'll see how it behaves during that time.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by JStergis

Do you mean it will flex when pedeling backward if there's a stiff link? .

Yes the derailleur usually will be pulled forward, the link usually gets stuck going through the little wheels until it gets enough tension to pull it through. This will give you a little click every 3 revolutions or so. It may not if it's not really tight. You can also put it on the highest gear on the back which will give you the smallest radius.

-------------------------

Could also be your derailleurs are out of adjustment.

The easy Way:
Place the rear derailleur into high (the little sprocket). This will release all tension on the shifter cable. Follow the cable from the shifter to a point where it's visible with no cable housing. It will probably be slack if it has never been adjusted, they stretch over time. Where the cable goes into the both the shifter and the derailleur there should be adjusting screws. Turn them out to take out the slack. Use both if you have a lot of slack so you don't turn them out too far.

The right way:
Place the rear derailleur into high. Go to the back of the bike and eyeball the derailleur to make sure it's lining up with the sprocket. It doesn't have to 100% perfect but should be pretty close. If it's not you can adjust the positioning by turning the set screws. There will be two small screws right next to each other and will probably be labeled hi and lo. They adjust the maximum distance the derailleur can travel preventing the chain from falling between either the sprocket and the frame or the sprocket and the spokes. If it's not lining up adjust the hi screw so that it is. Test it to make sure it will still go into high gear, shift it into another gera or two then back to high.

After you have it lined up properly turn the adjustments on the shifter and derailleur I mentioned above all the way in, then turn each a full turn out to allow for little adjustment in case you get the cable too tight. You'll find a nut on the derailleur that clamps the cable. Loosen it slightly and with a pair of pliers lightly pull the cable to take up the slack. Tighten the clamp nut. It should now be in perfect adjustment. Take it for a ride to make sure it goes easily into each gear. without any clicking sounds after it shifts. You can make fine adjustments as needed using the adjustments on the shifter or the derailleur.

Finally shift it into low and check that the low set scew is correct.

[JStergis]

I am going a few more miles soon (probably around 7)

I went 6 yesteday and it was silent. I hate to say I want it to make the noise, but it's kinda hard to troubleshoot when it's not doing it. I hate intermittent problems!

I'll see if it does it this time.

I will also try your suggestion soon, coalman. Thanks.

[JStergis]

It got pretty loud after a few miles, but by the time I got home again it quieted down a lot, so it's now just barely noticeable.

I checked out the rear shifer as you said, coalman and it seems okay. I had someone drive it a ways who is pretty good with bikes. They said it sounded like a bearing issue in the pedals (crank shaft?) but they thought they would feel it a little while driving and didn't. I still think it sounds like it's in the area around my feet. It is puzzling me. People have said it shouldn't case any harm or present an issue where I may not be able to drive it, but noises drive me crazy.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by JStergis

They said it sounded like a bearing issue in the pedals (crank shaft?) but they thought they would feel it a little while driving and didn't.

That's usullay the case with bearings, generally they don't just go bad. They go bad from not being properly adjusted which you would know about anyway. That would give you a clunking sound, especially when you hit a bump. The part itself would be loose as well. If you pick the bike up a drop it the only sound you should really hear is the chain.... It should be nice and solid sounding.

[JStergis]

NOW it seems to make the sound on the same spot for every revolution and I can feel it when it clicks. Now I'm concerned with it a little more. It's a loud click that I can feel! I don't think that's too good.

I wish I could get into the bearings, but apparently some special tool is needed after you take off the dust cap and bolt.

I think I do notice a noise when I hit bumps. I'll have to try it tomorrow. (it's dark now, and I store it in an unlighted shed)

Thanks,

J.S.

[kiwiguy]

Sounds like a collapsed or broken ball bearing in the pedal crank. Get it fixed before it takes the crank with it, although it may be too late by now, the crank surface could already be damaged.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by kiwiguy

Sounds like a collapsed or broken ball bearing in the pedal crank. Get it fixed before it takes the crank with it, although it may be too late by now, the crank surface could already be damaged.

Can't say I've seen a spindle or one piece crank so damaged from a bad bearing that it was unusable. It would have to be very loose (as in being able to grab the crank arm and move it back and forth quite a distance.) and ridden quite a bit before you would see damage like that. A lot of kids bikes with cone and cup bearing assemblies would come in like that. Crank would be fine, the assemblies were another story.

[trekguy]

1. Clicking noise...

...bring it to the bike shop, and ask them to check the bottom bracket, and tighten it. They will have the right tool.




2. "Sounds like little pebbles" noise...

yikes! not good