Low speed rubbing noise

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07-03-2019, 07:46 PM
deer30084

Low speed rubbing noise

I have a 2015 F3 SE6. At slow speeds I hear a rubbing noise. It rubs and stops, rubs and stops and continues until I stop. I checked my tire pressure all is ok. I suspected my belt tensioner (idler pulley). Took that off and the problem is still there. The belt looks ok and I don't see any damage. Any ideas? Thank you.
07-03-2019, 07:59 PM
aracrash

I have the same issue. My ride is a F3-S SE6.
07-03-2019, 08:08 PM
Navydad

My bet is the brakes pads rubbing the rotors slightly. With the front wheels being open and setting to the sides you can hear the pads rubbing at slow speeds. Does the noise stop when you apply the brakes lightly? If so than it's the pads. Nothing to worry about as long as they don't rub hard enough to cause the rotor to get hot. This is common with disc brakes and lots of vehicles including your car has this going on, just not as easy to hear it in your car.
07-03-2019, 08:32 PM
AY4B

I usually push my spyder in the garage when i get home from a ride and can hear a rubbing noise with the engine not running. I always figured that was normal.
07-03-2019, 08:33 PM
BajaRon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navydad

My bet is the brakes pads rubbing the rotors slightly. With the front wheels being open and setting to the sides you can hear the pads rubbing at slow speeds. Does the noise stop when you apply the brakes lightly? If so than it's the pads. Nothing to worry about as long as they don't rub hard enough to cause the rotor to get hot. This is common with disc brakes and lots of vehicles including your car has this going on, just not as easy to hear it in your car.

:agree: :thumbup:

Though I would check into it further to be sure. Another option is to raise the front of the Spyder and spin the wheels by hand to replicate the condition. Then you'll know for sure.

https://youtu.be/pLSypRa2JA4
07-03-2019, 08:34 PM
Ex-Rocket

Are you sure that the belt is not rubbing against the inner flange on the rear sprocket? If you can't tell if its rubbing or not put a little grease on the rear sprocket flange and see if the rubbing noise goes away. I had that happen on a 2015RTS and it was the belt rubbing against the flange on the rear sprocket. If the noise goes away then, the belt tracking needs to be adjusted some.
07-03-2019, 08:49 PM
happyspyder2039

+1 for brake pads!!
07-04-2019, 07:35 AM
JS3535

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Rocket

Are you sure that the belt is not rubbing against the inner flange on the rear sprocket? If you can't tell if its rubbing or not put a little grease on the rear sprocket flange and see if the rubbing noise goes away. I had that happen on a 2015RTS and it was the belt rubbing against the flange on the rear sprocket. If the noise goes away then, the belt tracking needs to be adjusted some.

I would not put grease on the pulley or the belt, that’s asking for trouble. Grease attracts dirt & debris, that will ruin your belt & sprockets. Don’t put oil on your brakes either if they are squeaking.
07-04-2019, 08:20 AM
Highwayman2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS3535

I would not put grease on the pulley or the belt, that’s asking for trouble. Grease attracts dirt & debris, that will ruin your belt & sprockets. Don’t put oil on your brakes either if they are squeaking.

This was actually something BRP recommended on the earlier Spyder. Putting a small dab of synthetic grease on the belt will hurt nothing. It was for a squeaking sound on acceleration.
07-04-2019, 08:28 AM
BajaRon

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS3535

I would not put grease on the pulley or the belt, that’s asking for trouble. Grease attracts dirt & debris, that will ruin your belt & sprockets. Don’t put oil on your brakes either if they are squeaking.

This does sound counter intuitive. But is, in fact, a good practice if done correctly. Not necessary unless your drive belt is squeaking. But be sure the squeak is not due to the belt rubbing on the inner or outer flanges on the pulleys. This needs to be corrected before any additional steps are taken.
07-04-2019, 08:32 AM
Easy Rider

Quote:

Originally Posted by AY4B

I always figured that was normal.

It is absolutely "normal" for disc brakes to make a slight "rubbing" noise when turning really slow.
ALL vehicles do it to some degree or another.
You just aren't close enough to the wheels on other vehicles to notice it.
07-04-2019, 01:28 PM
Ex-Rocket

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS3535

I would not put grease on the pulley or the belt, that’s asking for trouble. Grease attracts dirt & debris, that will ruin your belt & sprockets. Don’t put oil on your brakes either if they are squeaking.

I did say a LITTLE grease.
07-04-2019, 02:09 PM
LeftCoast

Same rubbing sound in left front wheel since brakes and rotors were done. Slight burning smell for a minute or two after a ryde which does concern me a bit but brakes are operating normally otherwise.
07-04-2019, 02:53 PM
JS3535

Belt dressing is different than grease.
07-04-2019, 06:16 PM
Easy Rider

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoast

Slight burning smell for a minute or two after a ryde which does concern me a bit

It should concern you MORE than a bit.

One of your calipers might be sticking......and the brakes may not operate "normally" for very long.
07-05-2019, 10:26 AM
wingit3611

|Try a little liquid Dish soap on the belt to stop squeak.
07-05-2019, 01:57 PM
Thopper

I have a rubbing noise at ...ready for this ...6mph not 5 or 7 mph. I took it to the dealer and sure enough they hear and feel it at 6mph only as well. They checked belt tension and gap and both were ok. Reported to BRP and no answers from either dealer or BRP. Its documented in case this leads to something else....very strange.
07-06-2019, 08:23 PM
Jethro

What year and How many miles? could be a rear wheel bearing getting dry kind of like the sound of a U-joint just starting to go. that rubbing squeaking sound, that comes and goes. mostly heard at low speeds. that's my vote.
07-06-2019, 09:24 PM
DGoebel

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeftCoast

Same rubbing sound in left front wheel since brakes and rotors were done. Slight burning smell for a minute or two after a ryde which does concern me a bit but brakes are operating normally otherwise.

LeftCoast, sometimes the pads get canted and bound on the pins they're supposed to "float" on. Those pins do need a light lubing especially if they have some roughness to them.
07-07-2019, 10:17 AM
TerryTheSpyderRyder

One way to stop the noise is to loosen the axle nut one flat (not turns! )at a time. Just a 3-4 "flats" should do it, and it doesn't loosen the axle enough to be a concern.:bowdown:
07-07-2019, 03:31 PM
Easy Rider

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerryTheSpyderRyder

One way to stop the noise is to loosen the axle nut one flat (not turns! )at a time. Just a 3-4 "flats" should do it, and it doesn't loosen the axle enough to be a concern.:bowdown:

REALLY ??
NOT !!!!!

That has to rank right up there with some of the WORST vehicle advice I have ever seen.
07-08-2019, 07:45 PM
deer30084

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navydad

My bet is the brakes pads rubbing the rotors slightly. With the front wheels being open and setting to the sides you can hear the pads rubbing at slow speeds. Does the noise stop when you apply the brakes lightly? If so than it's the pads. Nothing to worry about as long as they don't rub hard enough to cause the rotor to get hot. This is common with disc brakes and lots of vehicles including your car has this going on, just not as easy to hear it in your car.

Thanks, I will try that.
07-08-2019, 08:37 PM
LeftCoast

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGoebel

LeftCoast, sometimes the pads get canted and bound on the pins they're supposed to "float" on. Those pins do need a light lubing especially if they have some roughness to them.

Thank you for that, I will need to learn how to do it though. At least there was no burning smell after my 120 mile ride home.