New tires, bearings, gear oil...now a "cricket" sound and rear humming???

6203 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Ninasdream, Oct 7, 2012

AJH

Discussion Starter · Mar 19, 2012 (Edited)

Well, after much searching on here under "chirping and humming noise" I have not found an exact answer to my problem. So hopefully someone can chime in some good thoughts on the matter

Ok, here we go: Went to Dealer ( I know first mistake lol) Bought 2 brand new Dunlop E3's while installing them they found the Flange bearings to be worn badly(2002VTX 1800R 17,000 miles) , I ordered the whole set of Bearings from Directline parts ($49.00) which comes with 2 sets(front & back) of wheel bearings and the Flange bearings. I also had them change the drive shaft, brake, clutch fluids. Now for the problem....When I am driving alone I get a "Cricket" noise at 55mph, which goes away and soon as I take the load off, not real noticable, but i know it's different then before. I can live with that noise. The bigger problem, however, is when my wife is riding on the back, I am getting this noise from the rear that sounds like a Truck with oversized tires on it makes, that "Tire road noise" when you run mudder tires on blacktop. Also, it seems that my seat(Mustang) seems to get hotter when she is on the back. Could the seat be rubbing on the tire or fender? I don't know if thats possible? I weigh 197lb and she is around 170lb (I think

) I have not checked the air pressure or shocks yet ( been riding too much lol) Mostly, I am concearned about our safety. Could it be a faulty new flange bearing or wheel bearing? What about wrong fluid in drive shaft or too little of fluid? Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

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Tersuesar

· #2 · Mar 19, 2012

Took my rim and tire to the dealer for rear bearings and a yoko darkside install. 25k on my 03 1800. I should get it back this week.I never noticed any noise but I sure will be listening, now. Come to the tech session in May!

AJH

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 19, 2012

Would love to come, but that is the one weekend I will be in Chicago

I was going to go Darkside this time but chickened out.....maybe next time. I was just thinking....I wonder if there is a break in period for wheel/flange bearings?

blackdot

· #4 · Mar 19, 2012

You can check to see if there is fluid in the final drive. Park the bike on the kickstand and remove the filler plug, fluid should be up to the point where it just flows out.

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AJH

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 19, 2012

Thanks, I will try that when I wake up in 6 hours

any other suggestions guys???

blackdot said:
You can check to see if there is fluid in the final drive. Park the bike on the kickstand and remove the filler plug, fluid should be up to the point where it just flows out.

Abgms

· #6 · Mar 19, 2012

I get a chirp when backing the x out of the garage have not looked for a cause but that is the only time I hear it.

blackdot

· #7 · Mar 19, 2012

AJH said:
Thanks, I will try that when I wake up in 6 hours any other suggestions guys???

Put the bike on a stand and spin the wheels by hand. You may be able to pinpoint the noise to the front or rear of the bike. Things like the front wheel bearings and both the front or rear brakes can cause such sounds.

If you think it might be brakes, ride the bike and operate each brake individually to see if the noise goes away.

If you feel that it's associated with the work that you had done you should revisit the dealer that did the work.

battles06

· #8 · Mar 20, 2012

The humming may be inherent to the Elite 3's. I know that when I put a set of radials on my Magna, they made a humming sound from 40-45mph. Any faster or slower than 40-45mph and there was no humming sound at all. Does the sound go away if you are higher than 55mph? You may want to seek out other Elite 3 owners and see if they experience the same thing. If that doesn't yield any results, I would either take it back to the dealer or trouble-shoot myself.

BigBlockV110

· #9 · Mar 20, 2012

I have heard a chirping from the rear of my C also. I heard it before and after I went DS. Plenty of moly on axle and bearings and correct amount of differential fluid. I only notice it when I cross a bridge so the sound echos back off the side rail. Never been able to figure out what causes it.

AJH

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 21, 2012

Update:

Ok, I checked air tire pressure and it was 32 in both front and rear. Inflated tires to 42 each. Took it back to Dealer who did the work and watched him check the drive fluid. Fluid is right where it should be. He said if the noise continues it might be the "after market bearings I went with"(remember, they wanted $125/parts for just the 2 flange bearings) So to sum up the work so far......Set pre-load from 3 to 5; Air Pressure from 32 to 42; drive fluid checks out; tires are properly mounted (Arrow in right direction). I took it for a short spin on hwy doing 55-80 mph. "Cricket Noise" is still around 55mph only under Load. Next test is to have the wife ride with me and see if I get the same "Road Tire Noise" as before. :beer:

shadango

· #11 · Mar 21, 2012

Cricket noise could be your brakes......I know my fronts make that noise...like a ciccada. Or is your noise more of a squeak?

AJH

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 22, 2012

No, sounds more like a Cricket, but only under load, thats the confusing part:hmm2:. Also seems to be more noticable when wife is on the back.

shadango said:
Cricket noise could be your brakes......I know my fronts make that noise...like a ciccada. Or is your noise more of a squeak?

blackdot

· #13 · Mar 22, 2012

shadango said:
Cricket noise could be your brakes......I know my fronts make that noise...like a ciccada. Or is your noise more of a squeak?

AJH said:
No, sounds more like a Cricket, but only under load, thats the confusing part:hmm2:. Also seems to be more noticable when wife is on the back.

The brake pads can make the cricket sound against the vent holes in the rotors. Some pads are louder then others. So if the brake pads were changed out the perhaps the brake pads are dragging more than usual for various reasons, the sound may be there all the time.

hollywood64

· #14 · Mar 22, 2012

Noise

Ok this has to be said. I get more noise with my wife on the back too.......alot more noise.......
Just sayin

AJH

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 23, 2012

Thanks for the reply, but brake pads were not changed. I have been too busy to take the bike for a spin with wife since I made some Mods. I still think noise is coming from drive shaft area or bearings, but we will see.

blackdot said:
The brake pads can make the cricket sound against the vent holes in the rotors. Some pads are louder then others. So if the brake pads were changed out the perhaps the brake pads are dragging more than usual for various reasons, the sound may be there all the time.

Ninasdream

· #16 · Oct 7, 2012

EBC breakpads with OEM rotor will make a cricket sounds. Can't mix them up. OEM rotor-OEM breakpads. I would ask the dealer to change the pads.
Happened to us. Had to insist that they changed the pads to OEM and the "cricket" left for good. Wish you luck.

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