A squeak fixed: probably was a dry, overrunning clutch roller

[Reid]

A slight squeak had developed inside the hubmotor. It was audible when turning the rear wheel by hand while the bike was on the bike stand; a squeak definitely coming from inside the hubmotor. I figured it was probably a dry roller in the overrunning clutch.

So, I added 30ml of automatic transmission fluid into the motor via a brake disc screw hole I drilled through with a small bit held in a pin vise turned by hand.

The squeak is now cured. The motor is working fine.

Anyone else experienced any internal squeak noise from their CCS or other hubmotor?

(I first used oil in a hubmotor in 2009, maybe the first to do so. It can make an unholy mess, but, if properly used, ATF offers benefits.)

 

[michael mitchell]

I was getting some odd noises from the hub on my blix for the first couple hundred miles. It would only happen after I'd ridden the bike for at least 30 minutes or so. I'm not sure if I'd say it was a squeak, but it sounded like it needed some lubrication. The noise went away eventually, and I haven't had any trouble since then. That was about 1000 miles ago.

 

[rich c]

I'd be very cautious about adding a random fluid inside the motor. Are those a geared motor? If so you could wash the grease off the gears, dilute any grease in bearings, and then the consideration of compatibility with wire insulation, varnish on the motor windings, and magnet adhesive. I sure wouldn't do it.

 

[youth]

When mine was new there was a squeak from the motor. It turned out to be the rubber coated bushing/bearing rubbing against the axle & some oil fixed that.

 

[Reid]

When mine was new there was a squeak from the motor. It turned out to be the rubber coated bushing/bearing rubbing against the axle & some oil fixed that.

Hi! Yes, what you describe is a bearing seal. All such seals must weep a bit of lube =or= be manually lubed from time to time. Dry rubber sure will squeak on steel~

I'd be very cautious about adding a random fluid inside the motor. Are those a geared motor? If so you could wash the grease off the gears, dilute any grease in bearings, and then the consideration of compatibility with wire insulation, varnish on the motor windings, and magnet adhesive. I sure wouldn't do it.

I do not recommend anyone whose bike is under warranty to do this. However, my personal motto is:

KWYADAWYADI

This definitely-internal squeak was bad mojo. It was bad news brewing. There are a couple of links in my original posting. I just don't want to make a warranty claim for something I know how to fix.

We could discuss lubrication theory. It is a fascinating topic to me. When I talk about lubrication, my favorite hobby topic since I was a kid, talk about oil and grease and metals and plastics and rubbers (not those rubbers!) and how they mix and match and so forth...well, peoples' eyes glaze over. See? I've already killed your squeak.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

(I first used oil in a hubmotor in 2009, maybe the first to do so. It can make an unholy mess, but, if properly used, ATF offers benefits.)

Amazing that you have been tinkering with E-bikes since 2009....wow.

 

[Reid]

Am very grateful for Ravi and for this forum. I think the world of you all, here, and Tora and Company foremost in this spot because this is the forum where they see reactions day by day to their products.

Am getting great service from the new CCS and I enjoy telling folks in bike shops, parks and at traffic lights this is a great bike.

Member Youth has inpired: all those miles on a first gen CCS; am stoked!

A person's life is too short to be troubled by goads and such.

Here, Ravi, E.S. member #5 gets welcomed back:
https://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=92469&p=1352514#p1352514

Laugh, Ravi, at this thread's unintended pre-diction: A squeak fixed: probably was a dry, overrunning clutch roller . That is me. I'm the pipsqueak.

I will not likely live long enough to live down at ES my welcome back there.