Replacing bottom brackets?

[gorms]

My bike is creakin real bad and the noise is now completely untolerable.

I've never changed out a BB before --anything I need to know to get this done right?

Is it worth trying to clean the BB that I have (its original and the bike has quite a few miles between commuting and the trails) or just by a new one?

thanks

[chaka]

could be the BB, might also be your chainring bolts. What style BB is it? A newer spline style (like ISIS or shimano) or square taper style? The square taper styles readily work loose (where the crank arm connects) and creak like a mofo. Try tightening the crank arm bolts and the chainring bolts b4 making any replacements... Unless you are running a "boutique" brand, most BBs are cheap enough to replace every once in awhile, rather than trying to repair/rebuild.

[UTdave]

Remember righty tighty lefty loosey doesn't always hold true. Also use teflon plumbers tape on the threads when you replace it. Chances are if you pull the BB out and either grease or tape the threads it will take care of the creak. Also check for cracks in the frame as those also cause creaks.

[crashnburn'd]

Check your seat/seatpost too... One of mine creaks like hell.

[mntlion]

--anything I need to know to get this done right?

bring it to a shop, install of a new one is only $5-10 bucks

Is it worth trying to clean the BB that I have (its original and the bike has quite a few miles between commuting and the trails) or just by a new one?

not usually worth cleaning/rebiulding, just replace. if it is a square tapper, new LX $20ish and XT $40. the XT will last 3 times as long and a bit lighter.

[gorms]

--thanks for the input

I've had the creaky seatpost and the cracked from--this time it is def. the BB.
The creaking is in perfect timing with my pedalling which gets old after about a tenth of a mile.

The bottom bracket is likely the older square tapered--it was originally on an '01 Jamis Dakota. Tried looking it up, but it is porbably quicker just to pull the cranks than looking for 5 yr old specs.

hopefully there are some sales around.

[m1e448]

If you put the new one in yourself, use grease and teflon tape on the threads on the cups to prevent future creaking.

[Plakespear]

They're easy to replace- IF you have the RIGHT tools.

[funkendrenchman]

Don't buy a Raceface BB.

Take it to a shop to get it done... cheap enough to let them do it.

[gorms]

Thanks all--
there is a new one on the bike and I can now ride without annoyiing myself and all around.