I've spent the better part of a warm afternoon getting our Model K ready to show off at the Speedster Reunion this week.
Yesterday, late in the day, I had the K out on the highway, and took it up to 55 mph during a "shakedown" drive. I've gone 50 before, and 55 wasn't to tough on her.
However, I noticed a bit of a "squeal" in the drivetrain when I was braking to go into our building.
The transmission is separate, and basically open, meaning pre-Ts essentially throw their tranny grease out unless they are locked in high gear. So, I thought I might be low on transmission grease, and would put some in tonight.
After a good lubing, I went for a drive, and the "squeal" was worse than before. It happens on washboard roads, (small bumps) or when I brake (transmission brake, not e-brake). It also seems to occur when I back off the engine, such as going downhill and let off the fuel.
I drove with the floorboards off, and the sound seems to come from the center of the drive train, but it's hard to tell. I checked the rear wheels, and was able to take up the axle nuts some. Thinking this was it (loose hubs) I went out for a try, and still an occasional "squeal.
I'm at a loss, and of course frustrated, but will clean the K up (with the floor boards off I have specs of tranny grease everywhere on the car now), and bring it in to the reunion tomorrow. Hopefully, with over one hundred T experts in attendance, someone will know what the problem is.
Anyway, I needed to whine about it tonight, as I sit in my sweaty greasy cloths having a cold adult (not sure why they call them that) beverage.
Living the dream in Nebraska,
Rob
Don't forget the Ujoint.
Ralph,
Would the u-joint sound like that? I've never had one go out, or have a problem?
Thanks,
Rob
How about your brake band adjustment? It is too tight? I assume that the brake band runs dry, could it be glazed or worn down to rivets??
Jim
Jim,
It doesn't appear to be the bands, but something more "solid". When I found the right hub needed tightening (I torque it about a turn and a half) I really thought I "had it".
It almost seems as if something in the drive train binds when the power is taken off (coast) or brake is applied (but just the transmission brake). And if I'm only going a few miles an hour and brake, it doesn't happen.
Rob
Can't remember if it was the VW or the Corvair that would signal bad ujoint by a squeak when moving in reverse.
How do you lube the ujoint on a pre-T?
Ralph,
There is an oil line that drips oil directly onto the u-joint. I did cut the flow recently, and turned it up when this began. NRS have a similar system.
Rob,
Bring the K by my shop and we will fix it and eat good while we figure it out!
Rob, it seems like owning a Model K is too stressful for you. Better let me come haul that thing away while you still have your sanity.
Paul, thanks for the offer. Be careful what you wish for (or offer).
Robert, too late.
Oh well, I tried.
Did you find the problem or did the offending sound stop by it self?
Roger,
I spoke with Dean Yoder about it, and we agreed I should take it to the Speedster Reunion and let a few others hear the sound for their opinion.
With a few of the guys positioned on each running board, we thought the sound was coming from the pinion area (this was Wednesday evening). On Thursday morning I decided to pump a half tube of grease into the pinion bearing grease cup fitting, as a last ditch effort before leaving the reunion.
After about a quarter mile, the sound started to lessen, and by a half mile was gone. I suspect some old grease had "damed up" or bridged off an area of one of the bearings, and it was squeaking as a result. So far, all seems well.
Rob
Have you tried using a mechanics stethoscope to locate the sound? If it only squeals at speed or under load, maybe you can put it on a dyno and poke around at low speed to find and isolate the noise. Unless you have a daring friend who wants to hang off the running board and poke around while putting down the road.
You need to be period correct to find such an old squeal:
Ed,
I have used a stethoscope but only to locate an engine noise. Good idea. Fortunately, I think (hope) we found the problem in time.......
Thanks,
Rob