Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: MongoReturns on September 19, 2010, 03:48:42 AM

Title: Front wheel grinding
Post by: MongoReturns on September 19, 2010, 03:48:42 AM
Hey all,

I've had a bit of a grinding sensation in the front wheel since I put a new tire on (Continental something or another, cheap & feels good).  I can't figure it out.  I've ridden about 200 miles since the new tire; the grinding isn't getting worse or going away.

Possible causes:
-tire is not balanced.  I'd think this wouldn't feel like a grinding though
-front brake pads re-bedded weird.  I forgot to do the usual bedding in when I replaced the wheel.  Grinding seems to go away on braking.
-there was a bit of scoring on the axle, on the left side where the bearing is.  Hmmm.  Bearing seemed to spin fine though.
-axle nut not torque'd to spec.

Thoughts?  Thanks!
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: ducpainter on September 19, 2010, 03:55:35 AM
I'd look at the brakes since the noise changes when you apply them.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: Howie on September 19, 2010, 04:08:30 AM
If it is not the brakes, next suspect would be wheel bearings.  It wouldn't hurt to loosen the pinch bolts, retourque the axle and tighten the pinch bolts.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: MongoReturns on September 19, 2010, 04:10:43 AM
Thanks - hopefully they're the culprit, and the easiest thing.  They (EBC hh's) have over 10k miles on them  :-X
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: MongoReturns on September 19, 2010, 04:12:45 AM
Quote from: howie on September 19, 2010, 04:08:30 AM
If it is not the brakes, next suspect would be wheel bearings.  It wouldn't hurt to loosen the pinch bolts, retourque the axle and tighten the pinch bolts.

Ah man I hope it's not the bearing!  But I'll try that too.  Always paranoid about axle torque.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: DucHead on September 19, 2010, 04:25:00 AM
Also, try loosening the axle pinch bolts (at the bottom of the fork) and bouncing the front end a few times.  Then tighten the pinch bolts back up.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: stopintime on September 19, 2010, 08:39:53 AM
Wheel on backwards?  :-\  (pads hit a different "bed"?)
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: DarkStaR on September 19, 2010, 09:08:00 AM
Quote from: pompetta on September 19, 2010, 04:25:00 AM
Also, try loosening the axle pinch bolts (at the bottom of the fork) and bouncing the front end a few times.  Then tighten the pinch bolts back up.

+1

Take a look at the rotor where it passes through the caliper and see if they are touching.

Who installed the wheel?

Also, SOME pad drag noise is normal.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: ducpainter on September 19, 2010, 11:53:42 AM
Quote from: stopintime on September 19, 2010, 08:39:53 AM
Wheel on backwards?  :-\  (pads hit a different "bed"?)
Wheel can't go on backwards because of the speedo drive.

No?
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: stopintime on September 19, 2010, 12:44:35 PM
Quote from: humorless dp on September 19, 2010, 11:53:42 AM
Wheel can't go on backwards because of the speedo drive.

No?

No, yes, no, yes, no, yes ......
I really don't know, just thinking out loud...

Maybe it's a wrong-sided speedo drive that's making the noise [cheeky]

Excuse me, I'm not in a useful mode today ;)
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: ducpainter on September 19, 2010, 01:06:20 PM
Quote from: stopintime on September 19, 2010, 12:44:35 PM
No, yes, no, yes, no, yes ......
I really don't know, just thinking out loud...

Maybe it's a wrong-sided speedo drive that's making the noise [cheeky]

Excuse me, I'm not in a useful mode today ;)
Me too...

idea bouncing is good. [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: The Mad King Pepe' on September 19, 2010, 02:34:25 PM
What's the size of the tire you put on? Most of not all monsters take a 120/60 on the front, if you put on a 120/70 the tire might be grinding against the fender.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: vaclav on September 19, 2010, 02:49:20 PM
Did you use windex to put the tire on? If so did you leave the rotors on during the swap? I did that last time and since then I get a little rubbing noise when coming to a complete stop or pulling away from a stop after the brakes are warmed up. I wiped them off after the change but I think you have to use brake cleaner to get the residue off. I would describe the noise as more of a rub then a grind but either term could apply.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: MongoReturns on September 19, 2010, 05:41:25 PM
Quote from: stopintime on September 19, 2010, 08:39:53 AM
Wheel on backwards?  :-\  (pads hit a different "bed"?)

Impossible - only one caliper & rotor  ;D  And speedo works fine.

I also checked to make sure the tire's going in the right direction.  It is.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: MongoReturns on September 19, 2010, 05:44:20 PM
Quote from: DarkStaR on September 19, 2010, 09:08:00 AM
+1

Take a look at the rotor where it passes through the caliper and see if they are touching.

Who installed the wheel?

Also, SOME pad drag noise is normal.

Me & a buddy, with beer of course.  Clearance from rotor to caliper is disturbingly close, but my 1098 brakes are the same way.  Rotor not warped.  Definitely not a brake dragginf feel, unless one of my pads is done.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: MongoReturns on September 19, 2010, 05:46:02 PM
Quote from: ReginaDiCuori on September 19, 2010, 02:34:25 PM
What's the size of the tire you put on? Most of not all monsters take a 120/60 on the front, if you put on a 120/70 the tire might be grinding against the fender.

160.  Clearance between tire & fender isn't great; I may throw the SBK fender back on.  It does seem a bit like fender rubbing.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: MongoReturns on September 19, 2010, 05:48:16 PM
Quote from: vaclav on September 19, 2010, 02:49:20 PM
Did you use windex to put the tire on? If so did you leave the rotors on during the swap? I did that last time and since then I get a little rubbing noise when coming to a complete stop or pulling away from a stop after the brakes are warmed up. I wiped them off after the change but I think you have to use brake cleaner to get the residue off. I would describe the noise as more of a rub then a grind but either term could apply.

Nope, spray bottle w water in it.  The grinding isn't druing stopping or taking off.  It's just rolling along, at varying speeds.  Not constant.
Title: Re: Front wheel grinding
Post by: MongoReturns on September 23, 2010, 10:27:35 AM
A-ight, appears to be fixed - I swapped out the fender, loosened & re-toqued all the bolts.  I don't think it was the fender; no rub marks on the inside.  So it was probably the torque on the axle and/or pinch bolts.

Thanks all for the support!