EP8 - reduce the noise rattling noises from the motor

Pedro Conceição

Pedro Conceição

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Is there any way to reduce shimano EP8 rattling noises while going downhill?

What is the cause for the noise and ways to technically reduce or eliminate it?

After waiting for so many time for the bikes with it is quite disappointing to have this noises.
 
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It's a freehub inside the motor that has slight play and the chain moving creates the noise. Eliminating it is not easy if not impossible without changing the overall design. It is less noticeable with the old motor so it probably also has something to do with the motor being smaller.
 
Zimmerframe said:
most of them can't even drive a car in a straight line ! ;) :ROFLMAO:
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"Se détendre"

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:sneaky:
 
My old motor on my Jam2 just started to make a similar sound under light or not load. It's a rattling, clacking sound that goes away under medium to heavy loads. I have 3800 miles on the motor now and not sure where to go with this. Seems like excessive backlash of some sort. Checked freewheel, chain, cassette, clutch, pedals, etc. but I fear it's the motor and while it's 1 1/2 yrs old I doubt I can find a dealer to warranty it since the Focus dealers are selling other brands now and not Focus.
 
You don't need to find a Focus dealer. Just a Shimano service centre.
 
Yes there is an ex-Focus dealer I'll try first of course. They do need to be familiar with Shimano ebike motors to know it's not normal. I plan to ride it some more because it does seem to be getting worse. The Focus dealer I bought it from is up in San Dimas, 125 miles away. So far I can't find any other source of this noise and it's perfectly quiet when climbing or just bouncing the bike around when not pedaling. One day it was very quiet and at the end of my ride two days ago I noticed this. I imagine it is very similar to the noise the newer motor makes or worse.
 
Matt_Rider said:
Have you actually ridden an EP8 powered bike?
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No but I've heard about the noise they make under no load. Turns out I finally was able to rule out the motor. I put my Raceface Novatec wheel on and the noise went away. While the freehub looks OK in the old Exile speedtuned cf wheel, I think there might be a bad outboard bearing. It's not exactly rough or even loose but there is a slight tightness when snugging the drive shafts in one or more of the bearings and maybe some slight roughness. And the cassette and/or chain could be suspect now too. I'm replacing all the hub bearings and installing a new freehub assy soon along with a new chain and cassette so maybe I'll be able to identify the source of the noise. The 4 pawls look perfect along with their springs. The Novatec hub I'm using has the 462 5 cartridge bearing steel freehub so it's pretty tough but heavy too.
 
sdcoffeeroaster said:
No but I've heard about the noise they make under no load. Turns out I finally was able to rule out the motor. I put my Raceface Novatec wheel on and the noise went away. While the freehub looks OK in the old Exile speedtuned cf wheel, I think there might be a bad outboard bearing. It's not exactly rough or even loose but there is a slight tightness when snugging the drive shafts in one or more of the bearings and maybe some slight roughness. And the cassette and/or chain could be suspect now too. I'm replacing all the hub bearings and installing a new freehub assy soon along with a new chain and cassette so maybe I'll be able to identify the source of the noise. The 4 pawls look perfect along with their springs. The Novatec hub I'm using has the 462 5 cartridge bearing steel freehub so it's pretty tough but heavy too.
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I have an EP8 bike. Its there but not that bad. Sounds like an old mech. Im going to fit a 52t ratchet to my DT hub. I dont expect to hear ot after that.
 
NZSpokes said:
I have an EP8 bike. Its there but not that bad. Sounds like an old mech. Im going to fit a 52t ratchet to my DT hub. I dont expect to hear ot after that.
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Yeah I'm rebuilding my hub with all new bearings because another wheel made the noise vanish. It must be a bad bearing and I have a new freehub assy too. This is not the EP8 which has a noise of it's own.
 
NZSpokes said:
I have an EP8 bike. Its there but not that bad. Sounds like an old mech. Im going to fit a 52t ratchet to my DT hub. I dont expect to hear ot after that.
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Don’t understand how the hub impacto on the motor noise. Is that something that actually works or just a test?
 
Matt_Rider said:
So I finally got my new Merida e160 9000 yesterday and took it for a ride. The rattle is such a storm in a teacup. Non issue to me you barely notice it. Only when really listening for it does it really become noticeable.
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I didn't even notice it at all, the sound of the tyres going over dirt is louder.
 
There is no fix for this at the moment. I heard Shimano may be working on this for future revisions. The brand of bike may make a difference as well with carbon vs aluminum frames etc. Doesnt bother one bit on my Commencal
 
After riding my Bullit for 60+km now in various terrain, I must say this rattle noise has been blown up, it's the smallest of noises and I rarely even think of it. If no one told me, I'd hardly ever notice it tbh.
 
smashmonkey said:
I have a Merida e160 700, and I really have to listen to hear it. As Vertas said, if it hadn't been pointed out I wouldn't have noticed
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I still would have noticed it but as others have said. It's barely there and such a non issue. Did some enduro riding the other day and didn't notice it when riding.
 
Has anyone directly compared the rattle (Using similar frame material) between the EP8 and Bosch Gen4? The Gen4 rattle is IMO very noticeable...at least in a carbon frame.
 
One thing about the rattle tho, if you record a ride with a GoPro or something, then you can really hear it ? But I can live with that ^^
 
Fill the entire motor case with honey ?
No more rattles

You will also get the sensation of pedalling through treacle at all speeds not just above cut off.
 
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