Recumbent - Idler Problem

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NoNaYet
05-21-07, 06:48 PM
My Catrike Road has just short of 300 miles on it and at the end of a short social ride today started a high pitch squeal and a nasty grating sound.

Apparently the big idler wheel is the source of the squeak, and stops turning which is the grating.

It was obviously cranked down as I cannot loosen the bolt by hand. I could try lubing but that would attract grit.

How about some wisdom from those who have gone there before me?

NNY

NoNaYet
05-21-07, 07:10 PM
Someone suggested checking to see if a rock was jammed between the wheel and the frame.

I picked up the trike and held it sideways so Lynn could look and not only WAS there a rock, it was a BFR! About the size of a grape, jammed between the idler and the frame.

Something more to remember for the field.
jeff-o
05-22-07, 06:47 AM
Well, problem solved then! What an odd (yet apparently not unheard-of) thing to happen!

World Tour
05-22-07, 03:53 PM
Odd indeed. One time I had an idler wheel fall off and get lost and stranded me miles from home. Turns out I didn't tighten it enough. Long walk home pushing the bent. But never again. And I keep an extra wheel, nut/bolt and cup washers in the toolbag now and it'll never happen again because of that.