Proud and eternally grateful owner of a Model B. Consistently upgraded, maintained, and used continuously x 33 years. Recently it has started screeching (kind of like fingernails on a blackboard) during about the middle 1/3 of the recovery. If I stop, the screech stops immediately (so I know that the noise is not coming from the flywheel spinning). I have tried CorrosionX lubricant on both sides of the sprokets but that hasn't helped.
Has anyone else had this problem? Is there any way to access the bearings for lubrication?
Many thanks!
screech on recovery
Re: screech on recovery
Also an owner of a 35 year old model B...
If the wheel spins noise free, then maybe it's not the bearings. It might be something in the return mechanism inside the monorail. Another reason I think that is that it only occurs during part of the recovery. If it was bearings it would do it for the entire recovery.
Try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. The idler pulleys and other parts in the return mechanism definitely wear out.
If the wheel spins noise free, then maybe it's not the bearings. It might be something in the return mechanism inside the monorail. Another reason I think that is that it only occurs during part of the recovery. If it was bearings it would do it for the entire recovery.
Try to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. The idler pulleys and other parts in the return mechanism definitely wear out.
Mark Underwood. Rower first, cyclist too.
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longhorizon
- Paddler
- Posts: 6
- Joined: October 31st, 2010, 8:57 am
Re: screech on recovery
Thank you. Yes, I've thought about that but I don't believe it's from inside the rail. A very good suggestion to check it out though. I'll grab my mechanic's stethoscope (screwdriver) and an assistant and get to work... Will report back. Thanks again.
Re: screech on recovery
a video might be helpful here, but here are a few thoughts:
* return mechanism noises are often misdiagnosed as coming from the flywheel because the noises come out the end of the rail, so take a close look at that.
* during the drive, the flywheel bearings and the clutch are inactive relative to the axle, the axle is rotating and the 2 axle support bearings are therefor active. When you stop moving the handle, the axle stops rotating, axle support bearings are inactive and the flywheel bearings become active. During the recovery all bearings and the axle are active. So the screeching might be associated with the axle rotating or the axle support bearings.
* Is there any hesitation in the handle return associated with the screech? If so it might be the flywheel axle being pinched by the two frame arms, which can happen over time and can be easily fixed.
If the machine has seen consistent use for 33 years it's a good idea to check out the return mechanism anyway- look for worn bungee, worn bungee pulleys and a worn out traveling pulley, all of which can be obtained from C2. Good Luck!
* return mechanism noises are often misdiagnosed as coming from the flywheel because the noises come out the end of the rail, so take a close look at that.
* during the drive, the flywheel bearings and the clutch are inactive relative to the axle, the axle is rotating and the 2 axle support bearings are therefor active. When you stop moving the handle, the axle stops rotating, axle support bearings are inactive and the flywheel bearings become active. During the recovery all bearings and the axle are active. So the screeching might be associated with the axle rotating or the axle support bearings.
* Is there any hesitation in the handle return associated with the screech? If so it might be the flywheel axle being pinched by the two frame arms, which can happen over time and can be easily fixed.
If the machine has seen consistent use for 33 years it's a good idea to check out the return mechanism anyway- look for worn bungee, worn bungee pulleys and a worn out traveling pulley, all of which can be obtained from C2. Good Luck!
73 year old grandpa living in Waterbury Center, Vermont, USA
Concept2 employee 1980-2018! and what a long, strange trip it's been......
Concept2 employee 1980-2018! and what a long, strange trip it's been......
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longhorizon
- Paddler
- Posts: 6
- Joined: October 31st, 2010, 8:57 am
Re: screech on recovery
Cured!
Thank you both! Indeed the noise came from inside the rail. I sprayed some T9 into the roller bearings (bushings), both ends, and onto parts of the chain. It's now quiet (almost) as a mouse.
The reason I didn't suspect the rail assembly is that over the years I've replaced the components at least 3 times and I've never had this issue before. The last time I went for an entirely new total skewer assembly. Anyway, all good. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you...
Thank you both! Indeed the noise came from inside the rail. I sprayed some T9 into the roller bearings (bushings), both ends, and onto parts of the chain. It's now quiet (almost) as a mouse.
The reason I didn't suspect the rail assembly is that over the years I've replaced the components at least 3 times and I've never had this issue before. The last time I went for an entirely new total skewer assembly. Anyway, all good. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you...