C2 Model D - Chain making ratcheting noise

[Sunlover]

Hi All - new to this forum. I have a used model D in great shape, except the chain is making a ratcheting noise on the pull. Is this a sign that the chain and/or sprocket needs replaced? Thank you in advance!

[Ombrax]

Hi SL, and welcome to the forum.

C2 has lots of useful information on their web site. Take a look at the various things available at the top link below, with emphasis on documents that will allow you to see what the chain routing and other related things "inside" the rower look like. Then take a look inside yours to confirm that everything - chain, bungee (they call it the "shock cord") etc - is as it should be.

https://www.concept2.com/service/indoor ... schematics

For example, you might find some useful insight here:

https://www.concept2.com/files/pdf/us/i ... outing.pdf

https://www.concept2.com/files/pdf/us/i ... outing.pdf

Good Luck

[Carl Watts]

Could be the one way bearing in the flywheel slipping. Do you lose resistance on the drive ?

[Dangerscouse]

I'm far from an expert, but could this be something as simple as just needing to oil the chain?

[Sunlover]

Hi All - I too am not an expert The chain has been oiled, but due to the noise I have been hesitant to use the rower. I’ll try tonight and provide more feedback. Thank you for helpful links. I also did not do any investigation inside the unit.

[Carl Watts]

Pull the flywheel off and put a couple of drops of oil on the one way roller bearing on the inside of the flywheel.

You may be able to save the bearing, however by the time they start to play up they are generally stuffed.

[Sunlover]

Hi all - it's definitely ratcheting on the drive, and seems to be worse with more resistance. I took a video, but looks like we can't upload videos here. I will get well acquainted with this rower this week and try to oil the bearing and see if there is an improvement. Thank you all again! I really appreciate it!

[wpuk]

Pull the flywheel off and put a couple of drops of oil on the one way roller bearing on the inside of the flywheel.

You may be able to save the bearing, however by the time they start to play up they are generally stuffed.

Is this worth doing as a periodic maintainence as well?

[Carl Watts]

Pull the flywheel off and put a couple of drops of oil on the one way roller bearing on the inside of the flywheel.

You may be able to save the bearing, however by the time they start to play up they are generally stuffed.

Is this worth doing as a periodic maintainence as well?

Yes. I have had a lifetime of experience with these types of bearings in different applications. For starters the quality of them from different manufactures varies greatly and the life of them is based on maintenance, the environmental conditions, how much power its transferring and a bit of luck.

My Model D one died quite early but my Model C rower one is still going, same bearing same manufacturer. Koyo is very good quality but you can upgrade it from the entirely plastic cage version to the one that uses stainless steel leaf springs. Could all be in my head but it engages faster and so far its lasting way longer.

The Koyo part number is RC-121610-FS but the stainless version is like 3 times more expensive.

Very difficult to replace the bearing yourself, you need to be able to make a bearing puller to be able to draw the bearing out and draw it back in again. Its a VERY tight press fit and the use of a hammer is not recommended, it needs to go back in with press tool to eliminate shock.

[jackarabit]

I see no mention of chainslip in original posting or thereafter when queried about presence of same. If the OP experienced chain running out the hawspipe due to the 1 way clutch pawls not engaging fully, I bet he would mention it. All we got is a ratcheting sound but no disconcerting giving way of the handle on the drive. I think Carl’s worst case scenario may be premature.

Below is one of Cowboy’s links above to C2 chain routing schematic. Follow the red arrow to the chain idler pulley. It is possible ime for the chain to escape the pulley sheave and ride the idler shaft. Makes a real racket. The solution is pretty simple. Return chain to pulley groove nothing less or more. Certainly no harm in familiarizing yourself with flywheel removal in order to expose the flywheel bore for the purpose of flushing and relubing the needles in the clutch bearing but not quite time yet for contemplating machinist chores which are very likely not second nature to most of us

https://i.postimg.cc/6q5hphkG/BDE7-A595 ... A67-C4.jpg

[Carl Watts]

Yes its possible that one of those chain idler pulley's has seized on the shaft and the chain has cut through it and is on the steel but its more common for the clutch bearing to fail. Also the noise is only there on the Drive ? kind of points to the bearing.

Also check the chain for seized links, this causes a clicking sound. The chains can really get in a mess, seized links, twists, cracks and just plain worn out.