SPD pedal bearings developed an annoying clicking

Bit annoyed – my second pair of pedals in 6 months has now developed a ‘clicking’ feel and noise in the bearings. Both Shimano cheap (yes I know!) SPD’s on a deal from CRC.

I’m surprised as my previous SPD’s have lasted years and I’ve only had to replaced them when they’ve just got too battered.

Are these cheap stock ? Can I do anything about it by taking em apart somehow ??

And yes, it is the pedals and not the BB / chainset…

Sure it’s not your knees? 😆
Shimanos are boringly reliable – did ya grease the threads when you fitted them?

Try lubing the contact points on the cleat itself.

Knees ! Lol
When I hold the pedal in my hand, apply one brake and push the cranks, you can feel the click coming from inside the pedal…

All I can add to the above is that in a few years of 520/540’s I did have a right hand side 520 with awful sealing that lasted only a few months before grinding / clicking / notchy business started. All other sets have been fine.

Do you have a greasy gritty residue twixt the pedal and axle seal? That’s what mine started with.

Yeah, mine are 520’s.
Two pairs in 6 months though ?!?

You can service them, and I have – you need a tool from SJS cycles and the park tools ‘how to…’ on their website. I ride M520s btw.

The last time I looked the Shimano pedal bearing adjustment tool was about the same price as a new pair of 520’s 😯

Edit: I’ve just checked CRC £53.99!!!!!!

I’ve noticed the Shimano spd’s of late, including XT’s click a fair bit. Just open them up and put some more grease in (where they haven’t bothered in the factory).

That is all I have done with mine, opened and filled with grease.

Dont even bother adjusting the bearings. Just unscrew the pedal body, fill the hole where the axle goes half full with grease and screw the axle back into the body. New grease forced in and old grease purged out the end of the axle.
Should help get rid of the clicking.

does this work with spd-r pedals? and how do i unscrew them? is it easy?

mine are making the same noise 🙁

The £53 is not the one you need: adjuster tool for 520’s is only a few quid.
this one here.

Oh and +1 for removing pedal and reinstalling with lots of grease. I was convinced my bb was on its way out from the apparent noise/location and it was just a dry pedal thread. You never know…

Thanks guys – I may have guessed I needed a new tool! Thank god it’s only £3 !!!

For the record, I used that tool, but you cannot use it on some higher end pedals – predictably they need a different tool. Adjustment of the bearings is only needed if there is any play, but fresh grease and a clean should be periodic 🙂