Is her motor toast?

[anon4]

My wife's hub motor is making a sort of rhythmic mechanical noise when it's running. No noise when the motor isn't used. Definitely coming from the hub, other than this it works normally. Bearings or something worse?

 

[vfr400]

It might want just a clean and lube - probably worth having a look inside.

 

[KirstinS]

My wife's hub motor is making a sort of rhythmic mechanical noise when it's running. No noise when the motor isn't used. Definitely coming from the hub, other than this it works normally. Bearings or something worse?

Only way is loook as vfr said.

From my own experience I had some of the teeth on the nylon internal gears shear / melt in an old bafang motor. It made a "sort of rhythmic mechanical noise" until I replaced the gears.

 

[vfr400]

If water gets in, the motor goes rusty and can make the same sound. As I said, sometimes a clean with penetrating oil is enoughto sort it, other times a bearing might need replacing (about £1 on Ebay). Damaged gears are not very common, but do happen.

 

[anon4]

Thanks, we might just replace it as it's a 36v model running at 48v, the extra heat may have caused it as it runs pretty hot. It's pretty old anyway and spokes keep breaking, not ready for more headaches. The equivalent 48v 350w model is only £146 from AliExpress and should run a lot cooler. In the meantime it can carry on sounding like Thomas the tank engine lol