BB cup keeps getting loose

The fixed cup of my BB keeps getting loose after a bit of harsh riding. I tighten it so there is no play with my cranks/spindle so it runs smooth, which I guess is optimal. So don't know what I am doing wrong, or is this just normal? Have I got the BB in too tight causing a good connection between ball bearings and thus allowing pedal resistance / back pedalling to loosen the cup? Not enough grease (I put a lot onto the bearings)? Too much grease on the shell threads (I assumed I'd need a little bit)? Kind of annoying because the less tools I need to buy to take up to university, the better!

Thanks!

is it italian? on them the right side cup unscrews itself. i recommend, more grease on threads and more leverage to tighten the fuck out of it.

coincidentally, i just bought a smaller tool box to take what tools i will to uni. wahey.

If it unscrews itself you'll need to apply plumber's tape or one of the lighter flavours of locktite (thread glue).

It's an old Raleigh - so I guess it's British threaded. The fixed cup (drive / right side) tightens anti-clockwise, which would mean it naturally loosens with forward pedalling, surely? It's quite an annoying issue as it means I constantly have to re-tighten it after a days worth of riding. I was thinking about maybe using Locktite!

What toolkit did you buy? I want to see if there's anything which doesn't have too much extra unnecessary stuff :p Have fun!

And the most annoying thing is I seem to have misplaced my BB tool!!!

The fixed is supposed to be fitted to frame with the use of a vice, or the specific tool which clamps on hard so their is not chance of slipping.

Nothing else will get it tight enough.

nothing save fixed cup remover/installation tool

That would probably explain it DFP. It took a lot of attempts, strength and different sizes of tools to get it loose in the first place. I guess my pathetic little tool ain't got the leverage necessary - I will try my hardest though and if the problem permits I'll take it a local bike shop. Thanks.

Right, I think I realised the problem and/or got the cup on a lot tighter!

I think I made the terrible mistake of screwing the adjustable cup on just a tad too much before fully tightening the fixed cup. This meant that when I thought I had the fixed cup fully tightened what I actually had was what seemed like a tight cup but one which was being prevented from getting any tighter due to the spindle not actually being able to let it get any further in. But it didn't seem to be a problem because from the look of the fixed cup to the BB shell, it looked as if it were snug, so I didn't think about this being the issue. So, I loosened off the adjustable cup a little bit and then let out all my fury on the fixed cup. I put an old glove round the handle of the BB tool so I could get extra leverage without disfiguring my hand. Worked nicely, got a lot more thread in and then got the adjustable cup on nice and snug, then the lockring.. blah blah. Cranks and spindle have virtually zero play and run beautifully!

I know I made a stupid mistake because you should always install the fixed cup first, but I just didn't pick up on it or didn't think that the amount I screwed the adjustable cup by would make a difference.

Discovering this has put me in a really good mood! :D

well done.

and i didn't buy a toolkit, i just have a menagerie of tools from over the years which i took out my 22" toolbox and fitted all the necessary's into a 14" toolbox.

chain whip
lockring tool
headset tool
pedal spanner
allen keys
bb tool (20 splined and 8 tooth notched)
crank puller (regular and octalink)
cassette lockring tool
mole grips
worn out nipple key
chain tool
cone spanners
screwdrivers
puncture repair
freewheel tool (4 tooth)

is what i'm taking.