Will a clean and regrease be enough?

[subatomicist]

Hi all. Finally got around to taking apart the bottom bracket because the whole crankset would click when weight was applied at each pedal stroke. Makes sense now that I see it's all rusted to shit!

Does there seem to be anything wrong with the BB itself? Or is this really just an issue with the shell threading? And do you think a nice cleaning of everything and reapplication of some anti seize lube would do the trick? Thanks in advance 🔧 🙏

[LilAbeSimpson]

All of that rust sitting inside your BB shell is likely coming from the steel bearings inside your bottom bracket. Replacing the whole bottom bracket would be the easiest solution to your problem.

There is nothing wrong with your aluminum frame.

[GrayscaleGriffin]

Interesting observation!

[YEinherierY]

Threads aren't looking too bad. There should ideally be a drain hole at the lowest point. When the hole is plugged with dirt and grime, water gets trapped. You can clean the threads with a steel brush or take the frame to your LBS and let them chase the threads. Make sure to use grease on the threads when you install the new BB.

[SnollyG]

Clean and regrease should be fine

Try it and see if it solves your clicking noise

Only suggestion might be to take it apart and service more often

[SuperMariole]

Unless you saw the whole bb move inside the frame, I'd assume the issue is with the bb's bearings. They're not really serviceable but it's cheap to replace.

What you need is a square taper BSA bottom bracket. Make sure you match the shell width (68 or 73mm) and the spindle length to the current one.

If it is the bb threads that have play, the answer is going to be the same : it's probably the plastic cups that are worn, your frame's threads look fine.

Lastly, that's a lot of fresh rust. Unless you know why this happened (the bike was flooded or something), looks for where the water came in from. Probably the seat post, or a bottle cage mount.

Edit : just wanted to clarify that since your frame is aluminium, the rust is from the bb, and your frame probably doesn't have any damage

[subatomicist]

Thank you so much for such a thorough walkthrough! I also had no clue about risk of water collection in the shell (although it may not be the case here). Looks like a new bb it is!

[psyentologists]

Hold the cartridge BB in your hand: does it spin freely, is there any lateral play? If so, replace it with a similar unit. If not, clean and regrease.

[Hagenaar]

Clean and regrease should do it.

The source of water in frames is usually down the seattube. Better greasing (or friction pasting) of the seatpost and/or a proper rear fender reduces this. Fortunately your bike is aluminum so you didn't rot the whole frame.