Squeaky Motor trike

[extreme10]

Quite a strange title! This just might help some one with the same problem.
As always identifying where a noise comes from on any vehicle can be problematic and the one I had was driving me mad. For ages I had a squeak coming from some where on the rear of my trike. I had taken the wheels off a score of times , applied small amounts of lubricant to various joints. Sometimes it seemed to work but would soon return .

This time I jacked one side up and removed the wheel. Placed stand, or block of wood, below the main body for safety. I then jacked the suspension up half way by placing the jack below the brake disc. I then moved the body up and down, listening for the squeak- it was there somewhere- but where. It seemed to come from different places. I now tried an old trick I used on old motor bike I had many years ago, how to listen to tapets or big end rumbles etc.

A wooden rod 1/2 inch thick and about 15inches long. Placing this against the different areas where movement took place in the suspension I could listen ( like a doctors stethoscope) more closely to what was happening. By lowering and raising the jack under the disc I could also control the suspension.

Well blow me! The bottom end of the hydraulic suspension was the problem
The actual rubber was squeaking.

Answer: Loosen off the nut and drive the bolt out a way then apply a small amount of silicone spray. End of problem.


It has now been 2 mths since that job and no squeaks have returned.

Both sides need to be done.

 

[Keystone]

The actual rubber was squeaking

Had that issue with HD exhaust. Rubber on the rear mount for the slip-ons. Had to lube them every now and then.

 

[msrvpeig]

Bottom end of the hydraulic suspension

Keystone, can you clarify for a dummy like me what you mean? Was it the bolt and rubber bushing for the shock? Airbag?

 

[Judge Judy]

Quite a strange title! This just might help some one with the same problem.
As always identifying where a noise comes from on any vehicle can be problematic and the one I had was driving me mad. For ages I had a squeak coming from some where on the rear of my trike. I had taken the wheels off a score of times , applied small amounts of lubricant to various joints. Sometimes it seemed to work but would soon return .

This time I jacked one side up and removed the wheel. Placed stand, or block of wood, below the main body for safety. I then jacked the suspension up half way by placing the jack below the brake disc. I then moved the body up and down, listening for the squeak- it was there somewhere- but where. It seemed to come from different places. I now tried an old trick I used on old motor bike I had many years ago, how to listen to tapets or big end rumbles etc.

A wooden rod 1/2 inch thick and about 15inches long. Placing this against the different areas where movement took place in the suspension I could listen ( like a doctors stethoscope) more closely to what was happening. By lowering and raising the jack under the disc I could also control the suspension.

Well blow me! The bottom end of the hydraulic suspension was the problem
The actual rubber was squeaking.

Answer: Loosen off the nut and drive the bolt out a way then apply a small amount of silicone spray. End of problem.


It has now been 2 mths since that job and no squeaks have returned.

Both sides need to be done.

Not sure where you mean. Any way to get a picture of "the bottom end of the hydraulic suspension?" I, too, have a MotorTrike squeak I can't find... Thanks.

 

[JaysGone]

Not sure where you mean. Any way to get a picture of "the bottom end of the hydraulic suspension?" I, too, have a MotorTrike squeak I can't find... Thanks.

Most MT kits seem to squeak. The bushings on my trike aren't rubber but urethane.
I shot of WD40 or silicone, on all of them will do. White lithium grease works best for mine.
All of them in my case have temporally stopped it. They all come back eventually.:AGGHH:

 

[msrvpeig]

squeaky motor trike

I pm'd extreme10 for clarification. He means what I would call the bottom of the shock absorber. The rubber bushing on the bottom mount.

 

[JaysGone]

I pm'd extreme10 for clarification. He means what I would call the bottom of the shock absorber. The rubber bushing on the bottom mount.

They aren't rubber...............they are urethane.

Oils don't do much to them.
You need a grease type lubrication. White lithium or plain grease. Even they are temporary.
Just turn up the radio louder.............