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Is it absolutely vital to use a torque wrench when fitting a bottom bracket or is it ok to just bung it on and do it up fairly tight?
This is what I would do with most stuff then check it's still tight after a few rides as I've seen how new stuff can loosen up.
IMHO you can't over torque a bb cup, especially having tightened up one for a mate today, that he "thought was tight enough" but started creaking after a few rides.
Getting them off is a right bugger, but they don't creak mid ride!!
Firm as you can, without giving yourself a hernia
OK thanks. So you put some grease on the threads so you can remove it in the future?
Lightly grease the threads.
Then 2 grunts and a groan tight. And NOT with a big breaker bar or pipe over the end of the BB tool.
I use anti seize compound (park stuff). When the shimano bb tool starts digging into your palm and it starts to cause mild pain, you have reached 40nm. That's my method, your pain tolerances may vary 😛