250sx won't roll

[ovhonda1]

Like the title says. 85 sx is locked up when in neutral and turned off. Could be the brakes froze up (I hope a cable or something else brake related) or could it be something in the rear end? Never had a shaft drive before so i am guessing before I tear into it this weekend. Anybody else have this issue before and what did it turn out to be? any advice on where to start would be appreciated. By the way, when running, it will move but is very sluggish.

[the great gazoo]

Start by checking the drum, see if it's locked up.

[dougspcs]

You might get lucky and find a brake shoe fell apart..the bad luck you may have blown your rear differential..

Did this happen while you were driving it or while it was parked for a period of time? Did you happen to pull the cap off the differential and check the fluid?

Why does everyone run to their computer and start asking questions before they check stuff themselves??

[Frankencelery]

Dougspcs, be nice! We come here first because it's a community and we love to talk about our three wheelers. I agree though, it's very likely a brake shoe that fell apart.

[tri again]

Good question.
Not really sure why (i) visit here.
Maybe the morbid curiosity of passing an accident scene, or remembering the pain I went thru to get something that freakin' RUNS,
but I digress.

I've had at least 3 sx/br rear brake issues.
One common thing I found was stuckSTUCK brake shoe 'cam'. actuator.

Seems like the assembly lube from the 80's turns itself into a sticky dry black paint.

One took me 3 hrs to smash apart with an 18" drift and 3 pound sledge to get the shaft out.
2 minutes with sandpaper to get the dried paint looking stuff off,
re grease, the shoe springs will actually return the actuator, and 10 minutes back together.

Try smashing the brake drum actuator lever away from the direction of cable pull .
I kept a rock in my toolbix just for that reason.
After adding springs and soaking for weeks, I finally took it apart.

To do it again, I'd prob try to soak that shaft with nail polish remover.
Nothing seems to work except brute force, take it apart and do it right.

Hopefully it's something that simply and requires no $$ or parts or special tools.
gearoil is GOD with these machines btw.

[ovhonda1]

WTF Dougspcs. I simply asked for any experience before I tear into something that is unlikely the cause of the problem. Frankencelery is correct in his assessment. It IS a community and i rely on it to learn from others with more experience in certain areas. It seems like every post I read anymore has some negative comment written about it.

[dougspcs]

WTF Dougspcs. I simply asked for any experience before I tear into something that is unlikely the cause of the problem. Frankencelery is correct in his assessment. It IS a community and i rely on it to learn from others with more experience in certain areas. It seems like every post I read anymore has some negative comment written about it.

But you didn't even look..how are we to know the problem with your machine..

Did you check the things I suggested?? Or answer the questions I asked? Pull a wheel see if the drum wants to come off, if the brake cam is moving freely, cables seized, and big chunk of tree branch stuck behind the rim and the axle...

I could go on listing the millions of possible causes..

I'm all about the community thing..so many here have their trikes break and just walk away and come to their computers to ask. Give us some 411, we'd be happy to help.

Give us no information and all we do it shoot rounds in the air..nothing is accomplished.

Not trying to be a prick about it..just making a point. Help us to help you!!!

[Name Brand]

My SX locked up solid when the pinion bearing blew apart. It had been making popping noises for a short time before that. Did the TRX swap after that.

On a parts SX; the right, rear axle bearing had blown apart. Bearings and cage material tore into the brake shoes and brake drum causing it to no longer move freely.

I have had the rear lock up after leaving it outside on a cold night following a wet or snowy trail ride. Moved it someplace warmer and let it thaw.

[Vealmonkey]

This site is getting farther from a community and more towards being a crutch for those that want the easy answer and easy fix. Whatever one does, don't do anything to actually diagnose the problem. Don't check wheelbearings or slide back rubber boots on the shaft drive to check for binding or anything like that. You have the trike in your posession, yet you ask the question. We do not have the trike nor pictures, so we can only take stabs at what is wrong. I see this pattern repeated by many on here. This worst part is, you're not a newb. And then you start to get defensive when called out on it. Best of luck in your repair.

[dougspcs]

Good question.
Not really sure why (i) visit here.
Maybe the morbid curiosity of passing an accident scene, or remembering the pain I went thru to get something that freakin' RUNS,
but I digress.

I've had at least 3 sx/br rear brake issues.
One common thing I found was stuckSTUCK brake shoe 'cam'. actuator.

Seems like the assembly lube from the 80's turns itself into a sticky dry black paint.

One took me 3 hrs to smash apart with an 18" drift and 3 pound sledge to get the shaft out.
2 minutes with sandpaper to get the dried paint looking stuff off,
re grease, the shoe springs will actually return the actuator, and 10 minutes back together.

Try smashing the brake drum actuator lever away from the direction of cable pull .
I kept a rock in my toolbix just for that reason.
After adding springs and soaking for weeks, I finally took it apart.

To do it again, I'd prob try to soak that shaft with nail polish remover.
Nothing seems to work except brute force, take it apart and do it right.

Hopefully it's something that simply and requires no $$ or parts or special tools.
gearoil is GOD with these machines btw.

I hate to say this 'drjoe', you use of the word 'smash' seems to come up alot when you are referencing your machines..

Kinda scares me!!

[dougspcs]

My SX locked up solid when the pinion bearing blew apart. It had been making popping noises for a short time before that. Did the TRX swap after that.

On a parts SX; the right, rear axle bearing had blown apart. Bearings and cage material tore into the brake shoes and brake drum causing it to no longer move freely.

I have had the rear lock up after leaving it outside on a cold night following a wet or snowy trail ride. Moved it someplace warmer and let it thaw.

That my friend is what you would call..'EL GRENADO'...

I listened to mine 'growl' for a couple rides then decided to do an exploritory tear down.

Exact same failure on mine..but no collateral damage!!

[Frankencelery]

Ok, I'm curious...what's the "TRX Swap"?

With all due respect guys, the question was, "Here are the symptoms, what should I be looking for before I tear into it?". I completely understand the frustration with a post that says "My trike won't start, what could it be?", but this wasn't that kind of question. Would it have been more appropriate for him to say, "Ok, I've taken it all apart, I have the brake drum off and the driveshaft disconnected and I've changed the wheel bearings and it still won't turn.", so he could then be given the brilliant diagnosis of a frozen differential?

If this isn't a place where people can go to save time and frustration troubleshooting a problem from scratch, then what is it? Sorry, but this one really got to me.

[dougspcs]

Ok, I'm curous...what's the "TRX Swap"?

I think he is talking about swapping the differential from a 85 TRX250..

It's a direct fit, though I'm not positive the ratio is exactly. Pretty sure it's the same as the 250ES.

Anyway..still get the job done.

[Dirtcrasher]

And thats why I don't post much anymore. Got tired of answering the same questions over and over and SOME people never attempt to help themselves.

How else do you learn unless you try??

This is not in direct relation to the topic being discussed or OP..............

Screw it all. I'll have a TPC at some point anyhow.

[whyzee]

And thats why I don't post much anymore. Got tired of answering the same questions over and over and SOME people never attempt to help themselves.

How else do you learn unless you try??

This is not in direct relation to the topic being discussed or OP..............

Screw it all. I'll have a TPC at some point anyhow.

Curious DC, what's a TPC?