Squeaking drive belt.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Squeaking drive belt.
I've been plagued with a squeaky drive belt most of this summer. I've even posted before and followed folks advice, but it still squeaks.
Here are the facts....
- The bike has 60,000 miles.
- I put on a Progressive link last winter. I'm pretty sure it threw out my engine alignment a bit and made the belt ride on the inside of the sprocket. I've since removed the link and the belt has returned to the center again. Less squeak but still squeaks.
- There is some sprocket damage on the inside teeth. I think I must have gotten a bit of gravel in there. It's been into the Harley dealership to two different places and neither were overly concerned about that.
- I have had the rubber buffers inside the rear sprocket replaced, the mechanic at HD thought that was the source of the squeak. Didn't help much.
- Belt tension is good, has been spec'ed by the HD mechanic.
- I've tried ajax, belt dressing, bar soap all help for a short period of time but the squeak comes back.
- I called the HD service dept to get a price on new sprockets and belt, they told me replacing the sprockets is very rare. He actually told me he had never heard of it done before.
So, I'm thinking belt R/R.
Anyone have any ideas, comments, questions, or flames? Let em rip. Thanks.
Here are the facts....
- The bike has 60,000 miles.
- I put on a Progressive link last winter. I'm pretty sure it threw out my engine alignment a bit and made the belt ride on the inside of the sprocket. I've since removed the link and the belt has returned to the center again. Less squeak but still squeaks.
- There is some sprocket damage on the inside teeth. I think I must have gotten a bit of gravel in there. It's been into the Harley dealership to two different places and neither were overly concerned about that.
- I have had the rubber buffers inside the rear sprocket replaced, the mechanic at HD thought that was the source of the squeak. Didn't help much.
- Belt tension is good, has been spec'ed by the HD mechanic.
- I've tried ajax, belt dressing, bar soap all help for a short period of time but the squeak comes back.
- I called the HD service dept to get a price on new sprockets and belt, they told me replacing the sprockets is very rare. He actually told me he had never heard of it done before.
So, I'm thinking belt R/R.
Anyone have any ideas, comments, questions, or flames? Let em rip. Thanks.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 4
From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
Time for a new belt. Sux but I'd bet that's the case.......
I had a Ford Ranger years ago that had a noisy serpentine belt that you would have sworn was a bearing going out.
Replaced belt, quiet as could be. Visually it looked fine.
I had a Ford Ranger years ago that had a noisy serpentine belt that you would have sworn was a bearing going out.
Replaced belt, quiet as could be. Visually it looked fine.
Last edited by VTL nut; Oct 16, 2013 at 05:35 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 241
From: Highlands, NJ
Seems like your belt has some uneven wear due to the mods you made. Might need replacing.
Mine squeaked, but that was due to an HD tech not adjusting my belt tension properly.
Try cleaning it with soapy water and a brush.
Mine squeaked, but that was due to an HD tech not adjusting my belt tension properly.
Try cleaning it with soapy water and a brush.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
I had the same problem and thought for sure I had to get a new belt, so I read every post
that listed squeaking belts and tried every recommendation to no avail... except for one.
That was a product called "Polly-Oil" at your local HD dealer for about 3 dollars. My Ultra
belt has not been this quiet in over four years. Three bucks is a lot less than a new belt.
Good Luck
that listed squeaking belts and tried every recommendation to no avail... except for one.
That was a product called "Polly-Oil" at your local HD dealer for about 3 dollars. My Ultra
belt has not been this quiet in over four years. Three bucks is a lot less than a new belt.
Good Luck
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 241
From: Highlands, NJ
I had the same problem and thought for sure I had to get a new belt, so I read every post
that listed squeaking belts and tried every recommendation to no avail... except for one.
That was a product called "Polly-Oil" at your local HD dealer for about 3 dollars. My Ultra
belt has not been this quiet in over four years. Three bucks is a lot less than a new belt.
Good Luck
that listed squeaking belts and tried every recommendation to no avail... except for one.
That was a product called "Polly-Oil" at your local HD dealer for about 3 dollars. My Ultra
belt has not been this quiet in over four years. Three bucks is a lot less than a new belt.
Good Luck
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
Well I have to replace my rear sprocket about every sixty thousand miles get maybe eighty out of the front and replaced the belt at one hundred, all because the belt starts to squeak.
But, and this is a big but, I ride on sand roads a lot, at least four miles a day, and the sand is death to a belt, and pulleys.
I am sure you realise when the belt/pullys starts to wear the lugs do not fit in the slots right and the belt is actually longer than the pulley lugs so the belt has to slip as it goes around the pulley, that is what makes it squeak, kind of like how a chain wears on a sprocket.
I buy take off pulleys front and rear, although they are getting harder to find for my year. Belts you just have to bite the bullet.
There is a place that redoes old pulleys, they put in neoprene, and are guaranteed forever, but it is not cheap.
But, and this is a big but, I ride on sand roads a lot, at least four miles a day, and the sand is death to a belt, and pulleys.
I am sure you realise when the belt/pullys starts to wear the lugs do not fit in the slots right and the belt is actually longer than the pulley lugs so the belt has to slip as it goes around the pulley, that is what makes it squeak, kind of like how a chain wears on a sprocket.
I buy take off pulleys front and rear, although they are getting harder to find for my year. Belts you just have to bite the bullet.
There is a place that redoes old pulleys, they put in neoprene, and are guaranteed forever, but it is not cheap.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,776
Likes: 2,252
From: wet coast BC
what makes a belt squeak? I would think the side is rubbing the sprocket. If not that then what, I would not think the cogs.
Have you had the wheel off the ground and in gear ran at idle to see what you can see or hear as to where the squeak is coming from
Have you had the wheel off the ground and in gear ran at idle to see what you can see or hear as to where the squeak is coming from
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 30
From: North Florida
Have you ever seen a worn chain and sprocket how it jerks around the same thing happens with a belt.