Squeaky Noise

[Fraggle]

I'm going to ask the impossible - diagnise a noise without a) hearing and b) riding it!

When I have the bike leaned over to the left at any speed i get a kind of rotary squeak from the rear wheel.

Doesn't happen when leaning to the right, doesn't go away when I dab the rear (drum) brake. Wheel bearings seem in good condition....

[Luca]

How tight is your rear axle nut?  35 ftlbs is plenty.  If it's overtorqued that might make the bearings squeak.

Are you sure it's from the back?  My front brakes drag a bit and I'll notice a similar noise when turning left at low speed.  Lots more flex up in the front end when turning.  I'd at least check to see if your front brakes drag.  If they do, pull the pads out of the calipers and without using the front brake, take the bike up and down your street to see if the noise persists.

[Barry]

What happens if you back off the rear brake adjuster half a turn or full turn ?

[Justin B.]

Wheel bearings seem in good condition....

Seems?  I would suggest removing, cleaning, and re-packing.  When you are in a "left hander" bearing loading changes with respect to a "right hander" or straight.  Loading the brake also changes the load on each bearing.  If it was mine I would service the bearings and check for correct adjustment, especially if it hasn't been done recently, and then go on from there...

[montmil]

 [smiley=thumbup.gif] What Justin sez...

[Tony Smith]

What happens if you back off the rear brake adjuster half a turn or full turn ?

Took the words off my keyboard.

[Fraggle]

well, I've done nothing to make it squeak, I've not adjusted the brake or had the wheel out - so probably time for both.