Belt is getting too tight as it warms up excessively and is over-stressing the pulley bearings. Need to take to the shop and have the belt tension reset. Fixed my problem 100%.
Good to know, I'll have them do that when it goes in for brake light failure.
yeah, I had that issue too, wasn't the belt, it was inside my angle drive that made noise, even after putting Red Line in it, gave up and ripped it out
Was yours a creaking sound that happened every tire rotation? That seems to be what's happening when I'm driving for a distance anytime it's in the mid to upper 90s. It used to only do it when I was in gear and there was tension on the belt, then last week it would creak when I was coasting out of gear.
Display MoreWell thankfully when the belt is too tight, the rear pulley bearings begin to make a creaking sound (kind of like an early warning system). Buddy of mine asked me to listen to his recent weird noise because he wasn't sure what it was and based on my recent extensive experience with mine, I knew instantly it was the belt getting tight on him once I heard it.
I am convinced the system is designed to tighten up over time vice loosen over time as a safety measure to prevent belt damage (from loose tension) at high speed revolutions.
The good news is resetting the belt tension with its many steps is a straight-forward process although tedious at times.
So for me as long as I don't hear the creaking and measure the tension between .5 and 4. inches of deflection, I feel confident the belt and pulleys will last me the stated 100k miles and then some.
Interesting note, the service manual states if you have to change a belt (excessive wear/damage) then it's recommend to change the pulleys too. Very interesting statement.
I think this is the issue^. This morning on the way to work I heard the same noise but very faint, if I wasn't listening for it I wouldn't have heard it. When it's warm this weekend it'll probably be back.
Update: Past two days I've heard no grinding noises and it's in the 90s. No idea what to think now.
Update2: Well my theory has changed, I finally stuck my head between the front and rear pulleys while the back wheel was jacked (under load) and the belt properly aligned and could hear the creaking coming from the rear pulley area (not the wheel axle and not the swing arm shaft area). Even though I checked the belt tension several times and each time showing factory tension levels I now suspect it's the belt being too tight. The giveaway was tonight when the outside temp dropped by almost 30 degrees. When it was warm I could clearly hear the cyclic stress on the pulley bearings but tonight after checking the cold belt tension (factory settings of .3 inches) then doing a test drive, I heard no creaking until after a few miles when the belt had a chance to warm up and tighten. Clearly it's too tight and it's stressing the rear pulley bearings. Going to fix it once my new tools come in later this week.
I suspect my determination to drive in the day during the godawful hottest july days ever in VA got the belt warm enough to stress the bearings to begin with. They were super loud a couple of days ago during record heat. If after loosening the belt tension the bearings are still acting up then I just need to throw in the towel and contact the dealership for a warranty claim on the pulley bearings.
I too have noticed that temperature has affected the noise level of the creaking. I still haven't heard back from my dealer about the bearings arriving and scheduling to come in.
I also noticed something else last night; the noise is more noticeable when I'm turning left opposed to right.
More follow -up... The noise seems to come and go without any explanation. So I'm thinking it can't possibly be a bearing issue. I have not had my swing arm replaced. Up until this noise, my SS has been flawless, aside from all of the recalls I've had completed. I think I'll try lubing the belt and see how that works.
He ordered them because what I described to him he was sure it was a bearing failure. I'm going to try cleaning the belt one more time and get some lube for it.
Display MoreLate to the party, but...
Which bearing(s) did your dealer order? Just curious.. but there are several possibilities to this issue... and a couple of bearings too..
1.) rear axle needle bearing
2.) rear axle spacer
3.) roller bearing
4.) swingarm bearing
Not sure which one in particular was injured during our swingarm recall; but our swingarm recall was performed twice due to a bearing - not otherwise specified by dealer- being crushed during the recall. It was a HORRID OBNOXIOUS SCREAMING sound from the rear end that could be heard half a mile up the road when the slingshot took off. Sound worsened when belt was under torque during acceleration.
It took months before we finally wasn't cringing with disgust while riding...along with missing SSITS 18 and the slingshot sitting for 21 days outside / rusting our nuts, between two different dealerships.
The dealership where we had the swingarm recall done would not admit fault... said it was the belt tension... said it was dirty... said it needed replaced.... after all that was done... and still cringing... we went to another dealer. The technician there might not be the very best, but he is certainly honest, and personable. The second tech said he had never replaced a swingarm, and was going thru the service manual step by step... learning as he went. I can appreciate his honesty and sincerity much more than the tech we will call "Richard" - that we dealt with at the first dealer.
First mistake he ever made is stereotyping an aircraft mechanic crew chief with salt and pepper hair as "just another old guy that don't know shit about engine mechanics". THAT shit gets my blood boiling quick. And yes.... I showed MY
that day too.
Sorry for the rambling.... see what bearing your dealer ordered for you and maybe add a few of the others located within the Driven Sprocket.
Not sure which bearings he ordered, possibly all. I'll keep you all posted on what happens.
Thank you! I will try that and report back.
Quite possible it’s the belt. My wife’s SS kept making a terrible sound under power. Cleaned the belt and sound went away for one day. Came back worse. After the fourth time I cleaned it the sound seems to have gone away. Frustrating!
What did you use to clean the belt?
Another update... Took the SS out on Friday and the sound disappeared, drove it again Saturday and the noise was worse than ever. WTH is going on? Is it possible that it's just the belt that is causing this noise to come and go?
Cleaned the belt as recommended and no change. Called the dealer who ordered the bearing. Going in as soon as I get the call. Thank you all once again for your help!
The wheel looks like it could be bent.....out of round. Did you hit a giant pot hole?
Nothing that would bend the wheel, I've become quite good at missing them, but yes it does look like there's a problem there. I did purchase this used and it was the first time I had the rear end raised.
Please let us know either way.
Absolutely!
Try washing your belt. Then take it for a quick ride to see if it helped. If it helped, spray some dry molly lube on it. Mine sounds like that when the belt is dirty.
Will try tonight! Thanks!
Bearing failure can leave you stranded, but probably won't kill you (unless you're trying for 150 mph!)
Get to a dealer right away!
Will do! Thanks again guys for all of your knowledge and help!
Possibly axel bearing. Need to take it to dealer and have them send the video to Polaris. Polaris will say it’s normal without the video.
My initial thoughts as well, thank you!
One has to think bearing/s failure first off....
Sounds like instant death...
Jack it up and see if it’s the angle drive or swing arm related..
I did have it jacked up at the end of the video and I could see no swing arm issues. Instant death? Is it going to leave me sitting? Warranty just ran out in May.
The noise started just a few days ago. At the end of the video I have the rear wheel raised and can only hear pad/rotor noise. Also, if you look closely you'll see some rear wheel wobble... Possibly part of the problem?
I'm getting my info second hand so you're probably right. Not sure if it's worth the trouble.
