[Solved] Help diagnosing rearend creaking

[Cannikin]

For the last couple of weeks I've heard creaking coming from what I thought was the "bottom bracket" area of the bike. I took the motor housing off, didn't see anything weird, sprayed some compressed air in there. Reassembled everything and still heard it. Completely on accident I discovered a new way to make it happen reliably—apply the rear brake and just rock the bike forward and back. I made a video:


What the hell is that and where is it coming from? It kind of sounds like its coming from the middle of the seat stay...maybe the real source is reverberating through it? It's definitely not the brake itself, it's somewhere forward of that. Help!

Additional info: the brake is on TIGHT in that video, is it normal for the rear axle to have that much forward and back play?

 

[lumpy]

Wow, that's a weird one.
Does it make this sound when you ride? Or when applying the brake when riding?
I can't tell in the video if your brake is a 6 bolt or a centerlock, but I'd check that the disc is tight

 

[Cannikin]

Yup I hear it when pedaling, especially in high torque situations, which is why I thought it was the crank area, but from this experiment it seems like it’s the rear triangle somehow.

I have a six bolt, I’ll try taking the wheel off and tightening, but I’m pretty sure the sound wasn't coming from there...

 

[GCWNZ]

How about the seat post if you are applying pressure to that while trying to make the noise.

 

[Cannikin]

In this case just locking the rear brake and rocking it forward/back from the middle frame, seat wasn't involved at all.

 

[NGreen]

So it makes the noise while riding and no pressure on the brakes?

It’s hard to get anything from the video. I did notice when you pointed the camera/phone towards the rear of the bike the noise was louder? Assuming you have the tools I would put it up on a bike stand and start moving things around. maybe let the air out of the rear shock and cycle the rear suspension to see if you can find it that way. Another way if you have help is use a stethoscope or a long screwdriver to your ear and touch it to all the pivot points while someone is moving the bike. Noises do eco so don’t rule anything out.

that is a weird one. Good luck and please post what it is when you find it.

 

[Paul Mac]

I had a creak on mine and it turned out to be the bottom shock mounting bolt

 

[Levo-Lon]

Brake pad springs, pads worn down?

 

[Cannikin]

I had a creak on mine and it turned out to be the bottom shock mounting bolt

What was the remedy? Just tighten that bolt?

 

[ImSundee]

Sounds like brake disk/caliper/pads.

 

[Paul Mac]

What was the remedy? Just tighten that bolt?

Yes I took out the bolt and the hi low Bush, cleaned them and put back together and torque up.
With my creak I could make it happen by pushing sideways on the crank arm, flexing the bike in a side to side motion.

 

[Cannikin]

Found it! The rear through-axle bolt was getting a little loose. Also tightened up the rear disc brake while I was there. Silent once again!

 

[Cannikin]

Did it just need tightening or something else,? I have a creak when I pedal, I can't find it either, it drives me fuckin nuts

Try tightening that rear axle!

 

[Cmr]

Motor bolts need to be torqued up especially the chainring side

 

[Will Hesch]

My newer Ergon seat was creaking recently. A flat trail I often ride has what moto folks call whoop-de-doos and the up and down motion with creaking was driving me nuts! I decided to call them and ask for some advice or money!

Well, the nut behind the wheel (me) tightened the two bolt thingys that hold the seat in place on the top of the dropper post...sweet sounds of silence.

Often, at least in my case, the problem is nothing but the nut behind the wheel.

 

[Utah Rider]

I have two 17' Levos. It is very common for the rear axle bolt to loosen on these bikes. I got to the point where I have to check the tightness after every ride. On one bike I switched to some carbon rims with DT350 hubs. On that bike the rear axle bolt has never loosened up so it has something to do with the stock wheels. Sooner or later it seems everyone with a Levo also breaks the rear axle. Just part of the routine maintenance on an ebike.

 

[Levo-Lon]

My Levo started creaking again, popped the shock mount boot out top one.
Bike upside down, suspension fully compressed, this let me see the hidden motor bolt drive side.
Nipped that up,I wasn't as tight as it should be.

Shock boot back and the creak has buggered off again..I hate creaking frames ..

Which reminds me I will need a peg socket if I want that sprocket off..ffs what's wrong with bolting it to the crank..