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

6202 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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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?

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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.

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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:

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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?

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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.

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