Debris in frame?

[grilla]

Recently I've noticed a rattling when I move my frame around. It sounds as if it's in the seat stays, quite a sandy or gritty kind of sound. Sliding up and down inside the stays if I dramatically rock the frame forwards or backwards in the air. I have tried searching but not come across much on the internet, other than Sheldon Brown touching upon it quite lightly... he mentions it being detritus from the building of the frame, lug pins and the like.

All this is fine, but it sounds like there's rather a lot! Is it anything to worry about do you think? The frame is otherwise in what I would consider sound condition.

No frame I've owned before has had this kind of thing!

 

[mattsccm]

Could be a bit of loose rust plus other crap picked up through various holes.
Find a hole and pur in some oil. That will have some effect on the rusting and stick the stuff inside together. Chain lube would be good as it goes in liquid then solidifies.

 

[AndyPA]

Recently I've noticed a rattling when I move my frame around. It sounds as if it's in the seat stays, quite a sandy or gritty kind of sound. Sliding up and down inside the stays if I dramatically rock the frame forwards or backwards in the air. I have tried searching but not come across much on the internet, other than Sheldon Brown touching upon it quite lightly... he mentions it being detritus from the building of the frame, lug pins and the like.

All this is fine, but it sounds like there's rather a lot! Is it anything to worry about do you think? The frame is otherwise in what I would consider sound condition.

No frame I've owned before has had this kind of thing!

its actually quite common and usually flux or a brass ball from brazing so nothing to worry about

 

[foz]

I have this in my frame too, when I took the frame for painting at bob jacksons last year, they said it was nothing to worry about and was a sign of a good build - the brazing material has to work its way all the way through the lug/tube join, and then forms 'lumps' on the inside, which eventually break off. This is in sealed tubes - if the tubes you have the rattle in are open at one end, then it might be something else

Andy

 

[originalshinkicker]

If the tube has a blow hole in it then I always drop a couple of drops of superglue in and then turn the frame to move the debris towards the glue, couple of seconds later and you have no rattle. That's a tip I was given over ten years ago and I used it yet again only a few months ago. Works each time

 

[grilla]

Thank you all for your replies. I now feel comfortably reassured that my frame isn't going to turn to dust between my legs! Thanks for the superglue tip too, I'll see how I get on

 

[fiks]

I've got a custom built frame with something inside the top tube. As mentioned, it's not uncommon, but a bit annoying.

 

[originalshinkicker]

I've got a custom built frame with something inside the top tube. As mentioned, it's not uncommon, but a bit annoying.

If you take the seat pin out you may see a small hole, pop a couple of drops of superglue in making sure you don't get any glue in the seat tube itself. Turn the frame to move the debris towards the glue and that should sort it.