Mystery sound

kawabob1 · April 27, 2013, 02:16:36 PM

Hi All,
A good day on the FJ today. A quick sprint to my favorite accessories wharehouse (www.whitehorsegear.com) in North Conway NH. I got back on the ole girl and when I started to engage the clutch I am hearing a clunking kinda noise I rolled on the gas and snicked her up into 2nd gear and I heard it a little bit more but after that it seemed ok. I cut my ride short and headed back to Maine an hour away. I got home, took off my helmet and engaged the clutch several times but could not replicate that clunky noise. There is no vibration out of the ordinary. I am new to the FJ and not sure what I should be looking for. It is an '85 with about 34k on her. I am going to install a new chain and both sprockets, waiting for them to arrive. Could this be the clutch or tranny? I honed the hydraulic master cylinder and bleed the clutch line but thats all I have done to it. Any suggestion on how I can pin point the issue is greatly appreciated.

movenon · April 27, 2013, 03:06:30 PM

That's hard to tell remotely, BUT I would check your chain and front sprocket. If it way out of limits then I would not ride it until they or it is replaced. You mention the chain and sprockets in your post which would indicate that they are in need of service. I would start there just to be safe. If the chain lets go it can cause major damage to the case.
George

Zwartie · April 27, 2013, 03:10:01 PM

I bought my '92 late in the summer of '05 and didn't get her on a long ride until the summer of '06. Was riding through Watkins Glen, NY with my buddies and started to hear a terrible rattling sound and low speeds. Seemed to get better when I sped up. Took it to the local Yamaha shop and their mechanic came out for a listen and even he couldn't figure out what was wrong. This was the beginning of a 4-day riding/camping trip so I decided to carry on. Next stop was Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid. Rode up the mountain for some sight seeing and when we got back to the bikes an hour or two had passed so the engines were cool again. It then dawned on me (duh!) that I should check the header pipes and sure enough, one of them was loose at the engine! A quick turn of the wrench and the rattle was gone! My advice to you is to check the easy things first. Good luck, and hopefully it's something simple...and cheap.

Zwartie

rktmanfj · April 27, 2013, 06:07:02 PM

Quote from: movenon on April 27, 2013, 03:06:30 PM<snip> If the chain lets go it can cause major damage to the case.
George

And/or the back of your leg...

fj11.5 · April 27, 2013, 06:19:29 PM

Will also smash the clutch push rod, break the rear engine mount, sprocket cover, bolt mount, and small rear side cover, and that's doing less than 60kmh

ribbert · April 27, 2013, 06:42:01 PM

Yep, I'd check the header nuts first as well. If that isn't the problem, report back.

Noel

Pat Conlon · April 27, 2013, 09:54:45 PM

Good advice given....header nuts and countershaft sprocket/chain...also, what I've seen before is the bearing on the Cush hub can get wobbly, causing a clunking sound.

Let us know what you find.....

Tiger · April 28, 2013, 06:37:29 AM

I had a similar experience last year...my first year with the FJ.

Apart from other work done, I changed out the front/rear drive sprockets, chain and cush hub bearing...problem solved

John.

fj johnnie · April 28, 2013, 07:14:20 AM

Ditto me. Front sprocket completely worn. Thought my output shaft bearing was bad. Replaced sprocket. Problem solved.

kawabob1 · April 28, 2013, 07:24:43 PM

Thanks all, I do not plan to ride again until I get the new sprockets, the chain is here just waiting on the sprockets. Some mentioned the cush drive bearing. Is there a way to check it to determine if its bad? Also I forgot to mention I did tighten the chain up some and was surprised that there was a very small amount of play in the rear wheel and when I wiggled it side to side, there was a slight metallic sound...... could that be the cush drive bearing?? Is it a simple replacement or a press fit? Thanks again.

movenon · April 28, 2013, 07:53:36 PM

Simple replacement / tap it in with a socket. Cush drive bearing seems to take the most abuse and wear. You have 3 bearing in the rear end and I think all are available from most any bearing supply store or Yamaha if you want to pay more.

Also check the rubber cushions. Easy fix.
George

Arnie · April 28, 2013, 08:29:05 PM

They're all standard bearings available at any bearing shop, and inexpensive.
If you're replacing the cush drive bearing, you might as well do them all.

Arnie

racerrad8 · April 28, 2013, 08:54:40 PM

Or you can get the complete bearing kit including seals here; RPM Racing

84-90 FJ Rear Wheel Bearing Kit

Randy - RPM

kawabob1 · April 28, 2013, 09:22:50 PM

Thanks again, racerrad8 thanks for the link lot of goodies at RPM

kawabob1 · May 25, 2013, 10:54:13 AM

I just wanted to check back with my results of my mystery noise and rear wheel play.
I installed a new chain and sprockets, that took care of the clunking noise. The wheel play was taken care of by a new set of wheel bearings from RPM Racing. I think the old bearing were original. I ended up heating the hub with an embossing tool and they tapped out easily, took about 5 minutes to warm it up enough. I also put the new bearings in the freezer for an hour before putting them back in. They tapped in easily after heating up the hub again. I put in new brake pads all around but will need to rebuild the calipers next winter. New tires, now all I need is some warm weather.. I saw a post that had a bunch of oil filters that would fit the FJ, can someone send that to me?....Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions. Have a great day

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Mystery sound