Squealing ...

[likemytrike]

Anyone have any issues with their trike squealing during deceleration? I've had the front brake and front bearing replaced thinking that's the problem. It squeals with and without the front and back brakes, with the clutch engaged and not, backing off the gas completely or just partially. We even took the windshield off thinking it could be a whistle - nope. The newest guess is it's in the left rear - had the hubby on the back listening - he said "well THAT was exciting ... ". Anyone experiencing this? or heard of anyone that has? Let me know. Thanks - Jean

[grimm]

hey, jean. i haven't a clue as to what the squeeling might be. did you dtermine if it is coming from the rear?

[likemytrike]

My husband got on the back and we rode a while so he could listen. He said it sounds like it's coming from the left rear. Drive belt? don't know

[dwiht]

Have you greased the sert in the middle of the rear end? Sound will travel out some strange places. Otherwise check wheel bearing and brake rotors. Good Luck.

[Mick]

Jean if you can jack her up and spin the back wheels one at a time ,then the front to see if you get any noise. If you can, check the belt tension while its up in the air. But please make sure shes on jack stands while you're underneath her.

[Hawkeye]

My guess would be the drive belt; either too tight or misaligned. Either one would cause a squeal.

Too tight is the easiest to check. The belt should have about 3/8" deflection (slack) in it when 10 pounds of upward pressure is applied against the midpoint of the lower portion of the belt. If your trike dealer is also a Harley dealer they will have a tool to perform this check. If there is a Harley dealer nearby that isn't a trike dealer they'll have the tool also but the trick is finding someone willing to crawl around in the dirt to get under the trike.

Tracking (alignment) is a little harder to check. Probably best handled by your trike dealer. They'll have a lift to get it up off the ground and be able to get some working room underneath. Basically, you want about .030" of clearance between each edge of the belt and the pulley flange on each side. If the belt is too far to the left or too far to the right between the flanges it will rub against the flange and make a squealing sound. Been there; done that.

Good luck!

[likemytrike]

Thanks for the input. I've printed off the suggestions and will be bringing them to my HD dealer. That squeal is getting annoying!

[Jimsjinx]

Hi, check the left rear brake drum,if it has drum brakes on the rear. I found all the brake guts lying in the drum and that was the source of my noise.:eek: The springs had come loose (installed improperly). The other side shoes were worn alot more than the sqeeling side, so it had been that way for awhile. I wasn't familiar with the trike enough to notice any lack of stopping power, I was floored when I found out I had NO bake action on the left side. Sure glad it didn't finally bind up and break something or someone! Jim