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richnorto
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 246
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 4:32 pm Post subject: Rosie (4xxx) squeaks for first few minutes |
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Has anyone had an issue with a roomba (4xxx specifically) squeaking or squealing for the first couple of minutes running. The noise stops after that, but I'm not sure what to check or if it's a problem. The wheels move normally, actually very well compared to my others - she's faster - and a real good cleaner! I did clean under the sidebrush so that isn't causing it. I hate to take her all the way apart (been there and done it a few times) to dismantle wheels if it is not an important problem which will lead to other failures. Could it be a lubrication issue? If so, what could I lubricate? I do intend to take all 6 of my 4xx apart to clean and relube the gears in the next couple days. The wheels are such a hassle though!
Thanks, Lauralie |
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vic7767
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Posts: 3099
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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| You could try and send your Roomba on a mission without the dust bin and brushes. That may help narrow down where the noise is coming from. |
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richnorto
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 246
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for replying so quickly! I started Rosie without the dustbin and brushes and yes, the squeaking without the attachments is still there and even louder! Does this mean I have to dismantle the wheels - ugh - or is there another possible cause? I've never figured out the wheels although I swapped a nonworking wheel into Rosie (thought she would be my doner) from Baby Blue and both roombas worked after the surgery...? I've cleaned sensors and that is the extent of my wheel knowledge beyond that.
Thanks, Lauralie |
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vic7767
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Posts: 3099
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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| In addition to the wheels, your brush motor reduction gear transmission case may be the cause or the brush gear assembly. |
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richnorto
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 246
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Vic! I'll take her apart tomorrow and see what might have found it's way into that netherland! I am comfortable dismantling and checking gears. She doesn't run in dog areas so I wasn't thinking hair problems -but I did clean all 7 sidebrushes today (1st time and on a whim) so I might reconsider that! Yuk!
Are you speaking of the gear shaft and the brush gear box? I was going to check/clean all of them tomorrow as I need to lubricate 1 with the correct grease and thought the others might be due for a clean-out. I will let you know if this does the job. If not, I might need some pointers for the wheel assembly. Thank you for your help!
Lauralie |
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Gordon
Joined: 05 Apr 2005
Posts: 1459
Location: Santa Ynez, CA USA
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 7:39 pm Post subject: Re: Rosie (4xxx) squeaks for first few minutes |
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| richnorto wrote: Has anyone had an issue with a roomba (4xxx specifically) squeaking or squealing for the first couple of minutes running. ... Roger Crier reported his Roomba squeaking, ca., 2004. He traced the source of the noise to one or more drive-wheel hub-caps which were stick-slip rotating in their holes (holes through the fender(s), one might say). He made them go quiet by applying a small patch of adhesive tape across each hub-cap, thus securing it/them to the surrounding fender-surface. You could do the same, as a quick check. Quote: ...I'm not sure what to check or if it's a problem. Such rotation can become a problem, since the hub-cap will wear their capture holes to a larger size opening. Things just get worse after that. I think the corrective action would be to strip down the wheel assembly, clean out any debris at ends of axle, and to then grease-lubricate the axle where the large pulley, planetary gear-train, and wheel, all rotate about it. Note: The axle is supposed to remain stationary. |
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richnorto
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 246
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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All right. Deep breath...I will tear down the wheels as well tomorrow. Will the white grease I'm buying for the gears be the right lubricant for the wheel axles as well? I'll take pictures if anything looks weird for future ref.
Thanks, Lauralie |
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vic7767
Joined: 14 Jan 2006
Posts: 3099
Location: Louisiana
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 8:35 pm Post subject: |
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| I've used the white lithium grease on the planetary gears in the wheels. It will work fine for you. Just be careful and not allow lubricant to enter the O ring area of the wheel assembly. |
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Gordon
Joined: 05 Apr 2005
Posts: 1459
Location: Santa Ynez, CA USA
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| Posted: May 7, 2008, 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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richnorto wrote: ...I will tear down the wheels as well tomorrow. Just going to jump right in to the mechanical work without first confirming the hub-caps are squeaking? Quote: Will the white grease I'm buying for the gears be the right lubricant for the wheel axles as well? ... If necessary, that grease should be fine as applied to the axle-shaft. Just remember not to go overboard with the amount of new grease you apply. All excess grease will be squeezed out from between gear-teeth, and out of the bearings which rotate about the axle.
The easiest place for an overabundance of grease to travel, is into the belt & sensor chamber. Some of that exodus will be slung around inside the chamber by the chopper-wheel, and grease-vapors will have opportunity to condense on the lenses of the wheel-rotation-sensor parts. That greasy film can then trap any dust particles that pass close enough, and eventually the photo-transistor sensor will be unable to see the similarly dimmed output (the infrared stimulus) from its LED partner.
There could easily be reserve, unused grease--pushed aside long ago into nooks and crannies of the gear-housing--just waiting for you to gather it, and put it back into service. You may want to check on that possibility before going out to buy new grease. |
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richnorto
Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 246
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| Posted: May 8, 2008, 10:13 am Post subject: |
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I seem to have fixed the problem! I first dismantled, cleaned and regreased the gears for the brush drive. They were not the squeaking problem, but there was enough dust in there to have turned the grease to a damp sawdust consistency. No hair in there or around the gear shaft. Since it was still squeaking, I dismantled the wheels - not as bad as I remembered so I guess I'm getting more competent. The hubcaps were not the issue (I don't think as they seemed tight and not movable) but one wheel looked a little low on grease so I added some to that one. I also cleaned up dust gunk built up under the belts and under the rubber wheels. Whatever I did, seems to have fixed the problem. Rosie was just telling me she needed some cleaning/maintenance.
Thank you for all your help and suggestions!
Lauralie |
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