Hub motor making squeaking sound.

[EdwardNY]

Hub motor is a 1000w yescomusa.

I was riding down a hill pretty fast and noticed in the last second a hard to see rock that was mostly buried in the ground but sticking up a few inches. While turning around it I missed it with the front wheel but it hit my rear wheel and threw the rear rim out to the side.

Not sure if It was because I was looking for stuff after the hit but I noticed a squeaking sound coming from the hub motor. At first I thought it was my suspension but do not think it is because when compressing my suspension while not moving it does not make any noise. It squeaks every second or so. If I grab the rear wheel and push it from left to right it will make a slight squeaking sound. I do not see or feel anything loose.

Bike runs fine and I can get full speed without noticing anything wrong with the bike other then what sounds like a squeaky suspension. I lifted the rear wheel off the ground and gave it full throttle and did not hear any squeaking sound.

To me it seems that it has something to do with side forces on the hub motor. Somehow I think this was after I hit the rock.

Could that hit on the rock that pushed the rear of the bike out, be enough to cause damage to the hub motor? Any way to inspect this damage and fix something like this?

Another important question is if I damaged something could the hub motor fall apart while riding the bike?

 

[dogman dan]

It could be a damaged bearing. and could be unrelated to the bashing.

I'd just keep an eye and an ear on it for now, see if it gets worse, and check occasionally for anything obvious like play in the axle to wheel at the bearing or obvious drag that is new.

Then get new bearings if things get worse. The bearings are sealed and need no lube, but you could perhaps have a squeak where the bearing isn't. Sometimes parts of a hub cover are very close to freewheels or frame, and could occasionally rub and squeak.

It could be spokes as well, though usually spokes talking are more of a tick, ping, or creaking sound.

 

[lbz5mc12]

So none of your spokes were loose? I had one of those kits at 800W and the squeaky noise was coming from the gear cassette. Does it squeak when it's just rolling or when you pedal or both? It could just be that something is dried out and needs to be lubed.

 

[dogman dan]

It also could be a rotor just contacting the stator, especially if there is now a bearing issue. In most cases harmless, until the bearing really goes. If this is so, it's not likely to damage the motor inside. Just a rub mark or two, no shorted windings or anything really bad.

Yes, try hosing the axle area with some good chain lube, or spray silicone. See if the squeak goes away.

 

[MadRhino]

First make sure the suspension and brakes are not squeaking.
Tighten the wheel, spokes and dropouts and cover screws. Ride it and if making noise still, you have to open it, or suffer the noise until failure.

 

[auraslip]

I had a motor that squeaked after a hard ride. Never found the cause. Only thing it could be was bearings even though I ended up replacing those and the problem persisted.

 

[d8veh]

It could be a lot of things, so check the easy things first. loose spokes squeak, and if you bashed the rim, one or more could easily start squeaking. Also, a slight buckle in the wheel can cause a squeak from the brakes or mudguard. I'll be surprised if the noise is actually coming from the motor, although slightly more possible with a geared hub-motor.

 

[EdwardNY]

Thanks for the replies and the help, I never thought to check the spokes as I never had an issue with spokes on any bike I had and just didn't think to check them.

I think I solved the problem.

I checked the spokes and I had a loose one. I tightened it up, and went around and tightened up some of the others that seemed very easy to turn.

I drove today and didn't hear any sound while riding.

How much should I tighten the spokes? I went around and checked all my spokes. Some were hard to tighten, and some were pretty easy to tighten almost no force to turn them. I am not sure if I should be moving or tightening any of these that do not seem loose when I wiggle them.

BTW. what is the difference between a creaking sound and a squeaking sound because I was thinking it could have been a creaking sound, I honestly do not know the difference.

 

[MadRhino]

...
BTW. what is the difference between a creaking sound and a squeaking sound because I was thinking it could have been a creaking sound, I honestly do not know the difference.

Obviously, a creaking sound makes "Creek creek", and a Squeaking sound makes "Kweek kweek"
Have yourself a nice silent ride :wink: