why does my rear end squeak?

**Aregistereduser** · 11-19-2011, 01:03 AM

when my big red (200es) is in a lower gear sometimes i hear a squeak sounding like it comes from the rear end, and it squeeks ALOT when i push it in neutral, ive changed the rear end fluid a couple times now, and the brake shoes have been shot since i bought it.

**tpit8787** · 11-19-2011, 01:13 AM

if that's shaft drive, it sounds like the universal joint on the propeller shaft

**Aregistereduser** · 11-19-2011, 01:41 AM

Originally Posted by tpit8787

if that's shaft drive, it sounds like the universal joint on the propeller shaft

yeah its shaft....ive never tore down a rear end before so im persuming its a good ammount of work to?

**tpit8787** · 11-19-2011, 02:08 AM

the u-joint is towards the front of the swingarm inside the rubber bellows.I've never replaced one before, but I don't think it would be too bad.

**tri again** · 11-19-2011, 10:05 AM

What's the timing of the squeak?
every tire revolution?
does it speed up when you go faster?

I have a squeak that doesn't change with road speed OR engine speed.
just ever 2 or 3 seconds.

But for yours?
does it squeak rolling it backwards and forwards?
almost sounds like it could be broken/separated brake shoe or warped drum, mud impaction?

Not sure I've ever heard of a u joint going bad.
Don;t understand it either.
There's no grease fittings and they tolerate extreme abuse for 1/4 century.

On THAT note, I guess it could be a u joint.
Easy enuf to check.
Just do NOT ruin that rubber boot. and make sure it goes back in the exACT same place.

**tpit8787** · 11-19-2011, 11:16 AM

I've never heard of one going bad on a trike but they go bad on cars and trucks all the time and some of those have grease fittings and some don't.I imagine that u-joint failure on atvs is less common than on cars and trucks due to the fact that these atvs don't rack up the miles quite as fast as a vehicle driven daily.after a 1/4 century of abuse things that haven't been repaired or replaced yet will start to fail. good point though,if it seems to squeak once for every tire revolution it's something that's directly connected to the rear axle,likely in or around the brakes. a bad u-joint would give you a much more rapid chirp,chirp,chirp,chirp,chirp.more chirps than tire revolutions

**Yamaha3wheeler** · 11-19-2011, 11:23 AM

Sounds like a personal problem. Get rid of those spicy foods. But hey, at least your front end isn't leaking!!

Being serious now, I would get a buddy to push up and down and you can try to eliminate where it is coming from. Get you one of those auto stethoscopes. They really help. It may be something as simple as greasing the swing arm bearings. Start with all of the simple stuff before you start pulling things apart to look at the rear drivetrain. Me personally, I would probably just let it squeak before I went that far.

**250rRoostmaster** · 11-19-2011, 08:46 PM

I'm leaning toward the brakes since he said they've been shot since he got it... My 2 cents

**badass350x** · 11-19-2011, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by Yamaha3wheeler

Sounds like a personal problem. Get rid of those spicy foods. But hey, at least your front end isn't leaking!!

Being serious now, I would get a buddy to push up and down and you can try to eliminate where it is coming from. Get you one of those auto stethoscopes. They really help. It may be something as simple as greasing the swing arm bearings. Start with all of the simple stuff before you start pulling things apart to look at the rear drivetrain. Me personally, I would probably just let it squeak before I went that far.

Tooo funny, I seen this post many times!!! And then it hit me..... needs lube! Haha

**atc007** · 11-19-2011, 11:54 PM

Wish I could find it funny.. He has a 200ES. Therefore,he has NO swingarm. Your brakes are squealing,more than likely it's thrown a lining. Tear into the rear brakes and carefully examine your axle bearings while you're in there. Could also be your final drive,check your oil level,color and smell. Then change it regardless while you're in there. Good luck..

**badass350x** · 11-20-2011, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by atc007

Wish I could find it funny.. He has a 200ES. Therefore,he has NO swingarm. Your brakes are squealing,more than likely it's thrown a lining. Tear into the rear brakes and carefully examine your axle bearings while you're in there. Could also be your final drive,check your oil level,color and smell. Then change it regardless while you're in there. Good luck..

REALLY? A since of humor goes a long way!!

**Aregistereduser** · 11-20-2011, 03:10 AM

sorry guys i didn't get back to you was trying to score another scrambler today but someone snatched it before i did. anyways it squeaks mostly when i pull it back then push it forward, sometimes it wont ever squeak, it can go a month, and other times it'll just go all out in neutral funny thing is i had around 5 of my friends loaded on it last week at a party and no squeaking during that time, so what i was thinking is either the brakes are damaged or the boot has a cut in it i haven't noticed and waters rusting the parts in there....too late now to check it out now but will do tomorrow but can anyone send me to a link of a video of how to change the rear brakes? or at least some detailed instructions?

**Yamaha3wheeler** · 11-20-2011, 10:05 AM

Wish I could find it funny.. He has a 200ES. Therefore,he has NO swingarm. Your brakes are squealing,more than likely it's thrown a lining. Tear into the rear brakes and carefully examine your axle bearings while you're in there. Could also be your final drive,check your oil level,color and smell. Then change it regardless while you're in there. Good luck..

Don't be one of them funny boys. Lighten up man! I see you have a real fine interest and knowledge of "rear ends".

I am a Yamaha fan trying to help a Honda guy. Just giving some general "it could be's". Regardless of whether he has a swingarm or not, he could apply what I was saying to his bike. How is that for wisdom?

Wish I could help it out more, but it is hard trying to pinpoint problems on the internet. Have some fun!

I truly think it is wrong to have your rear end lubed. If your rear end starts leaking, you are in big trouble and should get professional help. That is my final answer.

**Jon Boy** · 11-20-2011, 02:35 PM

is it a sort of a light sounding squeak? if so it could be like what i chased around trying to find on my 125. ended up just being a axle seal squeaking when the rubber seal rubbed against the axle.
hope you figure it out soon without to much trouble.

**muthey** · 11-20-2011, 03:17 PM

I'm leaning towards brakes as well, but like Jon boy said it could be the axle seal as well. with no rear suspension and a constant lubrication on the u-joint I believe it is highly unlikely that it went out. I have a very abused 200es that the u-joint is still good so, go towards brakes first. It's not that hard pull wheel hub, undo the brake cables and pull the axle nuts remove outer cover, and seal. The actual brake drum can be a pain but a couple of good pry screw drivers and you should be able to work it off the pull the brake shoes out they are self explanatory with their design.

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why does my rear end squeak?