Loud Squeaking from Model B Rail

[neilvandyke]

I recently acquired an old Model B, and after a couple weeks it developed loud squealing sound from near the front of the rail as the chain moves.

It started as a squeak, but now it's closer to the sound of steel being ripped apart in a horrific accident.

Oiling the chain hasn't helped.

The disassembly procedure in the manual is intimidating, and I'm not sure that I'll see the problem even if I do disassemble it.

I'd appreciate any ideas on what might be wrong, and how to fix it.

Or if you're in the Boston area and know exactly how to fix this, maybe I can hire you.

[Nosmo]

call C2 and they should be able to help you. The machines are relatively simple to fix and diagnose and they have excellent customer support. If you are intimidated by anything mechanical then you should find someone who isn't to help you.

[neilvandyke]

OK, I suppose I'll call C2 next week. I'm not intimidated by mechanical things, but this had the feel of making a mess of my living room without being able to find the cause of the problem.

[Bob S.]

I recently acquired an old Model B, and after a couple weeks it developed loud squealing sound from near the front of the rail as the chain moves.

It is really difficult to pin down where a squeak comes from. I got rid of a squeak in my erg by rubbing a little chain oil on the top and sides of the rail. I couldn't actually pin down that it came from there, but I made a lucky guess.

Bob S.

[JRBJR]

I don't think a little oil is going to fix this problem.

Either the chain contianed inside your Model B's skewer assembly is not properly aligned or the chain itself has been damaged (both of which would explain the ripping sounds you describe).

On the Model B's monorail, the skewer assembly is inserted inside it and secured to it by small screws at both sides of the front and back. Check to make sure all four screws are properly installed and tightened and if not, tighten any loose screws. If the problem persists, you might want to remove the old skewer assembly and reinstall it.

If the chain or shock cord have been damaged, try to order a new skewer assembly from Concept2 (I think they're still selling them). This will give you a new chain and shock cord and probably improve the performance of your Model B significantly. Remove the old skewer assembly and install the new one as specified in the instructions, which are also available from Concept2 in hard copy and PDF form.

[neilvandyke]

Thanks. Turns out that *each* of the four screws was loose.

After tightening, it's still making noise, so I'll have to open it up next week. Perhaps the contents of the rail weren't assembled perfectly by whoever last serviced it, and they just need to be re-assembled.

[Cyclist2]

I just replaced the shock cord on my model B (after 20 years!!). It is pretty easy and the instructions on the C2 website are very straightforward (click on: service, indoor rowers, model B, maintenance). I recommend you take some photos of it when it comes out to refer to when reassembling it, and really (I mean really) go over how the cord and chain are routed. The traveling pulley and the SCAM are not symmetrical, so pay attention to their orientation. However, if it was put together wrong before you got it, then use the C2 instruction sketch to get it right.

Have fun!

[spbigelow]

I experienced the same noise. Because it is high-pitched, it is hard to tell where it's coming from. I was sure it was either the seat rollers or the flywheel. It turned out that the axles on my skewer for the shock cord pulleys were rough. I had my son row while I watched from the flywheel end. I could see the shock cord moving in a jerking fashion. The shock cord would stretch then suddenly the pulley on the end away from the flywheel would release with a squeak. It was tough on the shock cord and made rowing tough too. I polished the axles and put some machine oil on them before putting it all back together, and the squeak was gone.