Clicking sound?

[johncolley]

Question: One of my P2K GP7's recently developed an occasional clicking sound and I am wondering if this indicates a possible split gear or bad universal joint at one end drive tower? Most of the time it runs OK but this occasional thing has me perplexed. Has anyone else experienced this? John

[selector]

John, the fact that it is not a consistent and rhythmic sound suggests that it is probably foreign matter that has worked into grease, but in the gears.  A cracked gear would sound all the time, unless the crack was very slight and didn't change the geometry much.  But if their is sufficient grease in the gear box that it 'cycles' through in a vortex, sort of like whipping cream in the mixer, and there is a wee bit of plastic, it would sometimes be apparent in clicking and sometimes not.

The only other possibility that I can think of would be something related to warmed items that rotate.  Once they expand with use, they encounter something that makes the click...but then they would click continuously and cyclicly for the duration of the operating session.

I suppose, too, that it might be a universal...if it has such a thing.  Looks like you will have to remove the shell and take a close look.  Maybe even power and run it with the shell removed to see if you can locate the position of the click.

-Crandell

[dieselsmoke]

 Hi

Turn the engine over and see if you can turn the wheels with your finger. If one moves it's a cracked gear, if they're tight it's probably something like Crandell says.

Jim

[BIG JERR]

Ive had a couple (cracked gears) that only made the bump or click when under a load ,pulling in one derection or the other . they were split only on one end or axel..but when they are split all across they are very loud...good luck J.W.

[csmith9474]

I have had to replace just about all the wheels on my P2K GP7 and GP9 this year (had to pick up a couple of replacements today). The Athearn wheels are a direct replacement for these. I don't know if Walthers is replacing these free of charge, but it was just as easy for me to go pick up a few at the LTS.

[grizlump9]

 hold it back while you put the power to it and when the wheels slip you will know.  if it makes the noise you described or jumps up and down a bit then it is 99% sure an axle gear.

grizlump

[Texas Zepher]

johncolley

Question: One of my P2K GP7's recently developed an occasional clicking sound and I am wondering if this indicates a possible split gear or bad universal joint at one end drive tower? Most of the time it runs OK but this occasional thing has me perplexed. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hmmm, I have one with the opposite.  A GP7 that clicks like mad right off the bat.  To me it sounds like a burr on the worm.  After it runs for a minute or two the clicking goes away and it runs really smooth.   I don't know if it is a split gear or not, but as long as it it running well I'm not going to worry about it.