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Clicking noise coming from the chain at front sprocket

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eric
  • Start date Start date
E

Eric

Guest
I was adjusting the tension on the chain today, and noticed that it's making a clicking noise at the front sprocket.

The previous owner (the bike is new to me- i've had it two weeks) said that he replaced the rear sprocket to gear the bike a bit higher and replaced the chain at the same time (but no mention of the front sprocket - it is a 530 chain, so it must have been replaced a some point). The box for the chain was with the other spare parts he had, and it says it's a solid roller chain and specifically says that it's not for replacement of an o-ring chain.

So, two questions: Does the clicking noise indicate a problem, or is it normal? And is the solid roller chain a problem?
 
Take the cover off and take a picture for us.
More likely than not, the front sprocket is JUNK.

Eric
 
Also roll it slowly and watch to see if the chain tries to ride up and if it does, note the spot and look at the chain..may be stiff links. Ive had mater links make roll over noises too.
 
7981GS said:
Take the cover off and take a picture for us.
More likely than not, the front sprocket is JUNK.

Eric
Click to expand...

I'll get the cover off tonight. I tried last night, but the screws are pretty stuck and it was getting late so decided a fresh start would reduce the chance of making a mistake. :p

On a side note, I think my emails back to you are getting lost in cyberspace somewhere. Could you look through your spam folder to see if they are ending up there? I tried to PM you as well, but your PM box is full.

Eric
 
You need a hand impact driver

Get thee down to Harbor Freight
 
Big T said:
You need a hand impact driver

Get thee down to Harbor Freight
Click to expand...

I actually got one over the weekend because I knew it would come in handy at some point. Only problem is I left it in my dad's truck that I was borrowing at the time. I guess I'm off to his house. :D
 
Get your camera that you left in the truck also while you are there. ;)

Eric
 
Well here it is:

e3a478c2.jpg


Looks like its getting worn out to me, but I'll wait for your opinions.
 
That actually doesn't look all that bad, some wear of course but not completely wasted...
I have run them far longer with no funny noises.
Does it make the noise if you just spin the wheel by hand?
 
Check to see if your right/left tensioners on the rear wheel are on the same setting.

If they're not it can cause the rear sprocket to be out of alignment with the front and cause a clicking noise @ the front sprocket.
 
Mine makes a lil noise,not to hijack,but, sprockets are decent like his and aligned.i just deal with it and adjust the chain when it needs it,seldome that is.Only when i roll it forward it makes a little noise.I run my chain a tad tigh i think tho.if i lift it and it goes and inch i leave it there.am i wrong in that?
And go to sears if u can't acces tool trucks., cause if you buy elsewhere?i have 3 sets and ended up buyin bits at sears,lasted me 3 years instead of 3 months.you get what u pay for.just my 2 cents.
 
hjacobmiller said:
Check to see if your right/left tensioners on the rear wheel are on the same setting.

If they're not it can cause the rear sprocket to be out of alignment with the front and cause a clicking noise @ the front sprocket.
Click to expand...

I believe this is correct. I had the same noise, make sure your chain is lubricated and tight. It could be bouncing off the frame if not tight enough...
 
The sprocket looks fine, but if that's a non o-ring chain, it's junk from the get-go and won't last long at all.

Personally, I'd junk the chain (if it is indeed a plain roller chain and not a quality o-ring or x-ring chain) and install a quality replacement.
 
You might want to check the chain guard. My chain was hitting the chain guard just slightly in a few spots and sounded like a click. I just wedged some stick- on foam pads between the frame and the guard and it stopped. I think those plastic chain guards have a tendency to warp over time.
 
The tensioners are both on the same setting. I haven't noticed the noise while riding at all, I only noticed it once I started spinning the rear wheel by hand.

As I spun it with the cover off, it seems like the noise is just from the chain coming in contact with the sprocket. It doesn't seem to be catching the side of the sprocket or anything...

So what are the practical differences between the o-ring chain, x-ring chain, and solid roller chain? I plan on rebuilding the bike over the winter and will probably replace the chain and sprockets then.
 
Take the chain off and check for stretch
I bet it actually past its wear limit.
 
It is just how the roller pins in links are sealed I think.

In a standard roller chain there aren't any seals to hold the lubrication around the roller pins so it requires more maintenance.

Oring chains have a little tiny o-ring around the end of the roller pins that keep the good stuff (lube) in and the bad stuff (dirt) out.

Same thing with the X ring but I think the seal is a little different.

Basically with chains the more you can keep them lubed and cleaned the better they work and longer they last.

The different types of seals just help to keep them lubed and dirt out of the moving bits. Less dirt means less friction and less wear on the metal.
 
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