Chain goes tight ? By steve (Read 2,452 times)

[steve]

I did the spacer mod to correct wheel wobble, but both wheels still wobble. While I had her in the air, I rotated each wheel slowly. For 1/ 2 revolution, the chain goes tight and for the rest of the turn, the chain goes very loose. Tried it with both wheels with the same results. Also, sometimes when I launch, the rear wheels catch and chatter very badly. I also hear "grinding" noise from the back when I ride.

I checked the drive sprocket and gear. Neither is bent or loose.. Checked chain alignment and it's OK. I'm thinking the wobble and the chain issue might be inside the differential? I checked the outer bearings when I did the spacer mod. Both seemed OK. It almost acts like maybe there is an inner bearing on the differential end that might be bad and allowing both axles to move? What part other than the drive shaft and gear is common to both axles? This thing has less than 200 miles on it. HELP.

[alleyoop]

The chain where is it loose ON TOP OR THE BOTTOM?
Also the Chain it should be tight on top and on the bottom you should only be able to push it up 3/4 of an inch in the center.

Do you have REVERSE on this TRIKE?

Take a picture from the side when you say is it LOOSE.

Are you saying OFF THE Ground you can grab the top and bottom of the tire and rock it IN and OUT?
And yes there are TWO bigger bearings on each side of the Differential up against each side by each BRACKET.
Alleyoop

[steve]

This is a Viking with no reverse. This happens with the wheel off the ground. Tried each wheel with the same results. The tension on the chain does not effect the wheel wobble. Actually the chain gets loose or tight top and bottom. There is a spot in the rotation , of course, where it is correct. That is, tight on top with about a half inch of play on the bottom. Tomorrow I'll try to get both wheels in the air and watch the drive sprocket and shaft as they rotate under power. I'll also get photos of the chain both loose and tight. Guessing also that maybe the outer bearing plate for the drive sprocket could be bent or out of alignment?

[alleyoop]

Well there is definitely something out of round someplace. Did you check the Sprocket on the Differential it is usually held on with some bolts maybe the sprocket is not centered.

Also watch the Drive shaft maybe it is bent or the bearing inside is eaten up and making it wobble. Only a few things would make such a difference on the rotation of the sprockets to change the tension on the chain that much.

As far as the wheels still wobbling I would pull the Axles out this could of happened:
Alleyoop

[steve]

Thanks for the input, Alley. I will check all of that as soon as I can.

[alleyoop]

Man I feel for you having those problems with something that doesn't have many miles on it. If it is still under warranty I would beach about it and they may do something for you and send you some parts.
Alleyoop

[steve]

I live at an extended stay place and work there as staff. This is something that I will not be able to do on the property so I'll have to pay some one. I live on S/S and min wage + a room. Might just have to cut my losses and do Craigs list. Damn shame. $2.4K purchase,TTL. Another $1500 in mods (voids warranty). 200 miles. How much per mile? Oh well, stuff happens. I was walking before I got this. Still remember how!

[alleyoop]

$1,500.00 in mods you have to be kidding !! what mods did you do that came to that amount?
Alleyoop

[steve]

It was easy, Alley. I bet you have close to that in your BBK, tall tires, and other mods? After all, these are hobby as much as transportation. A partial list follows.

Fuel tank, handlebars, brake and throttle cables, sissy bar, sissy bar bag, headlight, 30mm carb, cdi, plug, hi flow filter, 1/4 fuel lines, luggage rack, cable covers, grips, foot pegs, mirrors, tank decals, trail tech speedo/computer, new front tire, gps and mount, under tank storeage/cooler, hardware, 115mm variator, tools. Replace rear fender from a drunk hit and run. Probably some other stuff that I've forgotten and some that I bought twice cause it didn't fit. This was to be my retirement vehicle and the total was still less than a whooptie car would have been.

With luck, I'll find some rat hole on a lake lot and be able to make the final fix on the trike a retirement project so all is not lost. Don't get the wrong idea about the rat hole. Want to find a cheap lot in East Texas with a raggedy old mobile home or something and fix it up. That will be a retirement project also. Made good money in electronics for years but spent it all. We all run out of "somedays" way sooner than we expect.

[alleyoop]

Yea those are some nice mods. forgot all about those. Well Check which is the problem the Axle part or the Drive Shaft on the front sprocket. If its inside the differential I would just get a whole new complet axle. If its the drive shaft on the front sprocket you can order a new shaft and new bearings for the tranny(and that will not cost so much). The Axle I know is not cheap.
Alleyoop

[steve]

Tomorrow, I'll get her up in the air and watch both of those sprockets under power. I agree that one or the other is off center, out of round or moving on bearings that aren't right. just a SWAG, but I bet an axle assy is at least as much as a a new motor.

[steve]

It's the axle/diff ! ! Put both wheels in the air this AM. The wheels do not move in and out in the horizontal axis. They "tilt" in and out on the vertical axis. Applied power and the noise from the differential was horrible. Sounded like rocks in a clothes dryer. Also, it was bad enough that the axle stayed solid on the jackstands but the whole trike rocked from side to side on the supension. It has to be the inner bearings on the axle, but I'm sure the pinion gears and inner axle shaft are trashed by now also. I've heard that noise and felt the slight rocking since I bought it, but this is my first trike, so I had no baseline for comparison. This has to be a factory defect, but you know Ice Bears new warranty policy says that there is no warranty if you don't pay a shop to do PDI, so there ya go. I'm doomed!

Rapid Jim, you're the only reliable Ice Bear dealer in the country. Is there any hope for me or do I have to let strangers touch me for a nickle till I save enough for a new axle assy?

[alleyoop]

BUMMER!! Yea, the differential is shot and the bearings as well.
Alleyoop

[steve]

I suppose the good news is that it looks like a fairly easy job. Also, everything on her will have been modified except the rear tires, suspension, block, clutch, and tail light. Now, as long as I have to change anyway, I wonder if there is a better axle that would bolt on to the Viking? Or, maybe trade her for a scooter? They say there is always room for improvement.

[alleyoop]

Sorry but there are no other axles made for the Ice Bear Trikes, the brackets on the axle are made to fit the swingarm.

PM or call Jim from RapidRepair and have him check how much for a complete axle, tell him which trike and year you have because they did make some changes through the years.
Alleyoop