Foot plates - loud squeaks and creaks

[Rowing_DJ]

Hey all, I'm sure this has been covered many times, but I wanted to check whether it's possible to quieten down (or even completely eradicate) the constant squeaking and creaking from the foot plates. It seems to have built up recently and is now so annoyingly loud on each stroke, I can't take it any more!

Are there any tried and tested remedies?

Many thanks in advance!

[Anth_F]

There shouldn't be any squeaks and creaks at all.

Have you checked that all the top screws and the nut bolts on the underside of the footplate are all still nipped up tight?

[sekitori]

Hey all, I'm sure this has been covered many times, but I wanted to check whether it's possible to quieten down (or even completely eradicate) the constant squeaking and creaking from the foot plates. It seems to have built up recently and is now so annoyingly loud on each stroke, I can't take it any more!

Are there any tried and tested remedies?

Many thanks in advance!

You didn't mention which model of C2 you have. This problem occurred on my previous Model C but not on my present almost 14 year old Model D. However, I assume it could happen to any model. I followed the advice below from C2 and the noise was gone. About a year later, the creaking noise started to reappear, but to a lesser degree. That probably happened because I didn't apply the Vaseline as well as I could have. I wiped the hooks clean and reapplied the Vaseline, trying to spread it more evenly than before. After that second application, the erg remained quiet.

Symptom 2--There is a creaking noise from footplate area.
Resolution:

Two mating surfaces of monorail and front end are working against each other. Separate the monorail from the front end. Apply a light coat of thick lubricant (Vaseline or Chapstick) to the front facing and bottom rear facing aluminum hooks located at front of the monorail. Reassemble and row.

[Citroen]

How old is your rower? Is it older than ten years?
http://www.concept2.com/service/indoor- ... uct-notice

[Ombrax]

My Model C (which I've owned since it was purchased new from C2) has no footplate squeaking issues whatsoever, and never has. Maybe I'm not working it hard enough...

[sekitori]

My Model C (which I've owned since it was purchased new from C2) has no footplate squeaking issues whatsoever, and never has. Maybe I'm not working it hard enough...

I'm sure that's true of the vast majority of rowers produced by Concept 2. They produce high quality products and the incidence of problems is quite low. But the fact remains that creaking around the footplate area can and does exist. If it didn't, why would C2 provide a statement specifically acknowledging the problem and providing an answer as to how to fix it?

Your reply is typical of many appearing in all sorts of discussion groups. Someone posts that he or she has a problem and would like help in solving it. Most replies try to be of help. But others, probably out of relief that they don't have that problem, state they never heard of it and that it doesn't pertain to them. If posting that fact makes them feel better, that's fine. But all it does is lengthen the thread while doing absolutely nothing to help the original poster.

[Ombrax]

Your reply is typical of many appearing in all sorts of discussion groups. Someone posts that he or she has a problem and would like help in solving it. Most replies try to be of help. But others, probably out of relief that they don't have that problem, state they never heard of it and that it doesn't pertain to them. If posting that fact makes them feel better, that's fine. But all it does is lengthen the thread while doing absolutely nothing to help the original poster.

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the erg this morning...

I was merely providing an additional data point regarding the tendency (or lack thereof) of certain models being more or less likely to have squeaky footplates. Up-thread there was some discussion of different models, so I added one more bit of information regarded mine. If I had had squeaking issues I would have said so and described how I had handled the problem. Since I hadn't I couldn't offer a fix, but I could increase the amount of data available to the OP.

[Rowing_DJ]

Thanks for the replies everyone, and apologies for not detailing my exact model / age etc.

I have a Model D (PM5), which I've had for about 2 years now (purchased brand new directly from the C2 website). Will double-check all of the screws later today, but as far as I am aware, everything is tight.

Thanks again guys!

[jackarabit]

http://www.concept2.com/service/indoor- ... lly-screws

Free retrofit kit for model Ds manufactured early to mid-2015. Check your serial for YOM.

[Rowing_DJ]

http://www.concept2.com/service/indoor- ... lly-screws

Free retrofit kit for model Ds manufactured early to mid-2015. Check your serial for YOM.

Fantastic, thanks very much!

[jackarabit]

You're welcome.