Update; recently received and installed a rebuilt Bosch CX motor on my Rail 9.7. Everything went great for several months until I started to hear a slight cracking noise when I applied torque during a start. I started chasing the creak …but it wasn’t a creaking noise. More of a cracking noise. It got slightly louder after each ride.
The usual suspects were checked and regressed. I installed a new 8100 Shimano chain and e13 chainring. Both were due. Cassette was fine and the Project 321 hub was recently serviced.
I decided to drop the motor …again. There it was …some loose bracket bolts. A very slight movement of the motor was possible. If I had ignored that cracking noise I surely would have sheared off those bolts. (I have two other motors in my garage from others who likely ignored that cracking noise for some time).
I removed, cleaned, blue pic-tight and slightly increased the torque of all 8 bolts. The castle nut (35nm) is still in good condition (new) but I have a spare for next time.
My ride tomorrow will reveal whether this will work or not. I think it will work. But I’ll update my findings.

Update; 6/29/25.
Seems to have eliminated the cracking noise. All good …but I’ll keep an eye on it.
The usual suspects were checked and regressed. I installed a new 8100 Shimano chain and e13 chainring. Both were due. Cassette was fine and the Project 321 hub was recently serviced.
I decided to drop the motor …again. There it was …some loose bracket bolts. A very slight movement of the motor was possible. If I had ignored that cracking noise I surely would have sheared off those bolts. (I have two other motors in my garage from others who likely ignored that cracking noise for some time).
I removed, cleaned, blue pic-tight and slightly increased the torque of all 8 bolts. The castle nut (35nm) is still in good condition (new) but I have a spare for next time.
My ride tomorrow will reveal whether this will work or not. I think it will work. But I’ll update my findings.

Update; 6/29/25.
Seems to have eliminated the cracking noise. All good …but I’ll keep an eye on it.
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