Clatter noise in front hub

[M.J.M.]

I just aquired a new Suede and when my speed reaches around 10-12 mph I can hear and feel a clatter noise from the front hub motor. If i go slower or faster it goes away and it makes no difference if the motor is working or not.

Anyone else experence this noise? Any idea what it can be.

 

[Pageant]

Hi MJM,

Just reading your post, I remembered reading something about "clattering noise from hub" - but when I checked back, the piece I read was about "chattering noise from hub" - I really dont have any idea myself, but I have pasted below about the "chattering noise" taken from Team Hybrids website about the Puma Hub.
I hope you sort the problem out and that its not too serious.

WORD OF CAUTION: the Hall Effect Sensor wires are thin, delicate wires that can be broken. The most common reason these wires get broken is because the nuts, which secure the hub motor/wheel on the front forks are not sufficiently tightened. If the nuts are loose, there is a possibility that the motor will spin within the forks, wrapping the cable into a ball, and severing the tiny Hall Effects Sensor wires. In many cases, you cannot visually see that the Hall Effects Sensor wires are broken. When the Hall Effects Wires are severed, the motor will not fire properly, i.e., the motor will vibrate or "chatter", in much the same way that an automobile engine will run badly when one of it's cyclinders is not firing. Many people mistake the "chattering" for a bad wheel-center bearing, when it is really severed Hall Effects Sensor wires.

All the best,
Richard

 

[flecc]

I'm sure you have no problem M.J.M.

The recent post was on a Sprint with the same phenomenon. This happens when the motor reaches it's limit or a limit dialled in on a throttle, and the bike is tending to overrun the motor slightly.

What happens then is that the gear teeth within the hub float freely and rattle slightly against each other, but causing no damage. As soon as you accelerate or slow, the teeth are brought back into consistent contact and the noise stops.

The Hall effect chattering that Team Hybrid mention is extremely harsh and unmistakeable, bad enough for you to want to stop using the bike, so I'm confident it's not that. That's quite rare anyway.
.

 

[M.J.M.]

If the later explaination is the reason, would it still do it even through the motor is not activated. Its seems that it starts and makes noise at around 10-12 mph then gets quiet again as you speed up.

I can even feel the vibration in the handle bars.

Thanks

Mike

 

[flecc]

If it's enough for you to feel the vibration Mike, it might be more serious. The sound I described is only that, just a faint clatter but no vibration normally.

As it's new best check back with the dealer, and also try to get a ride on another Suede for comparison. We have a couple of Suede owners as members so they might also be able to give an indication of any comparable experience.

Since you feel it the Hall effect connections could be in question, and it could be just the connector at the front wheel not making a good connection. I don't know if you can access that yourself to unplug and replug it, remaking the connections.
.

 

[M.J.M.]

I just pulled the cover and all the wires are plugged in and everything is tight.

Something is not right - the problem is this is the first electric my dealer sold so I don't think they will be of any help.
Is there a hotline for Giant I could call for tech support?

Thanks

Mike

 

[flecc]

Hi Mike. Giant usually rely on the dealer to give support, but they do assist the dealer strongly in that. However, if you want to try contacting Giant first, this page below has all the contact details for you:

Giant UK
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[M.J.M.]

Many Thanks!!!

 

[M.J.M.]

Would you have a USA hotline?

Thanks

 

[flecc]

There you have me stumped M.J.M., Giant USA seem to depend more heavily on their dealers and there doesn't seem to be an equivalent contact page.

However, they have a dealer search facility which enables you to specify those dealing in the electric models, and a radius from your location. Here's the link:

Dealer select

I hope that will help.
.