Front Sprocket noise Problem....

[Raptor]

Man I hope she holds up for you while on your trip. I'm thinking that if anything is worn it is probably the Sprocket which is probably made of softer metal. The bearing seems OK given the latest reports, which is a good thing! The wild card here is going to the the shaft splines...

 

[NancysToy]

Your theory is good---

Taking your theory a step further-- which is probably the case....

Having the sprocket 'out' just a bit on the shaft - the sprocket and shaft are in their previous 'locked together' position. Adding pressure via the bolt is pushing the sprocket against 'fresh' parts of the splines that the sprocket had previously not had much contact with--- thus causing the noise when the sprocket 'moves'.

By me 'punching' the sprocket further onto the shaft - the inside of it has finally 'gripped' and 'settled' into the 'new' area of the splines-- then tight bolt holds it in place and noise is gone.

So-- if I pull the sprocket I'm sure I will find that the sprocket splines are really worn-- or worse yet-- the shaft splines are too.....

So do you think the sprocket has 'spun' a bit on the shaft then? This would make sense considering the symptoms. Now I just have to hope the shaft is okay...... :shocked:

Need to get ahold of a better puller before I do anything else....

So there is where I'm at.

Hard to say which is worn...probably both. Hopefully the sprocket is the only one out of spec. If the wear is not excessive, you might try Loctite 680 Retaining Compound to fill the small voids. You will also need their L7471 Primer. I have a good puller that may do the job.

 

[Firefly]

Took the Spyder over to a buddies auto-shop so we could both look at it-- and he's got all kinds of pullers------

Took the bolt out and had him watch it while I rolled the bike-- then put it in gear and rolled forward and back until the bike stopped in each direction and he could clearly see the sprocket moving on the shaft...

We knew then the sprocket has to come off. Could only get the puller onto the flange-- which we knew could break--- which it did-- on one side-- but that gave room enough to get the puller all the way to the back side of the sprocket-- cut another notch on the other side with torch to match-- got the puller behind sprocket and man was that thing on tight.....

Lots of rust dust--- most from the sprocket splines wearing--- and some from the shaft wearing.

Some of the splines on the shaft are quite sharp now-- some still flat. Got the new sprocket on and it feels pretty good--- but there's no doubt I'll need a new shaft in the not too far off future.

I would have for sure broken down on the trip--- but now should be okay-- just gonna take it easy on the takeoffs--- no burnouts for awhile...

Ideally I'd like to make it through the summer off this new sprocket on the worn shaft--- not sure if that's possible or not---- then take it to a dealer (thinking Cowtown--) at the end of the riding season and let them have at it for awhile....

Since the shaft isn't going to get any better anyway--and needs to be replaced anyway--- considering using something like the locktite compound that Scotty mentioned to beef things up --- anyone have much luck with that kind of stuff?

I'll post some pics later on...

 

[docdoru]

Some of the splines on the shaft are quite sharp now-- some still flat. ...

The sharp ones are done...

Ideally I'd like to make it through the summer off this new sprocket on the worn shaft--- not sure if that's possible or not...

With the new sprocket you're good for 12-15K.

 

[SethO]

damn good call on making sure on that, it is the suck having that broke on the road is a deadline spyder.

mine looked like crap too when it went.

 

[Firefly]

Hey doc- did your shaft splines get sharp too? Did you ever have the shaft replaced or just various sprockets?

 

[Firefly]

How about you Seth? New shaft?

 

[Raptor]

opcorn:

 

[SpyderWolf]

Glad to hear you got the major part of the issue sorted out for now. Hopefully it will last you the entire ryding season before a rebuild. Best of luck. :thumbup: