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Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:04 pm
by Nemesis
Hello. :D

I have noticed that my PCX produces very strange sound on small speed. It was very hard to notice it on the very beginning but now it´s strating to sound bad and irritating. I can hear this squeak/squeal only on constant speed of around 30 Kmh (20 Mph) and by warm engine. By higher speed I cant hear it (maybe it´s still there?) and also noting notable is to hear by accelerating.

I was 99% sure that it comes from the front section, I thought its just a resonance vibration from one of the plastics or just a sound of the wind. Yesterday I tried to test it on the central stand and the sound comes actually from the VARIO!!! Amazing however how it appears during the ride that the sound is coming from the front???

What do you think about it? Is this yet another clutch bearing problem (parts 18 and 19 on the diagram) or something about the vario weights? Please check the attached videos.

My PCX is the second Gen with ESP but without LED, year 2012 with around 7000 KM (4300 Miles).




Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:34 pm
by homie
Since it doesn't shudder and is producing a noise from the CVT even under no load plus it's pre-2015 I would go straight for the 'Face set, Driven' (bearing, drive face assembly). Not the clutch shoes, they don't have enough miles. I would put a new belt and rollers just because you are in there looking around anyway. Total parts around 100usd, labor couple hours if you haven't done it before. Start hunting down the parts for the job and ride it until you get them in and have a day to mess with it. Do you have the tools to get the vario and clutch pack off?

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:36 pm
by pcx man
That is bad clutch bearings. I had this same problem and it sounded just like that. Bearings are cheap from Honda.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 4:42 pm
by TheMaverick
For what it's worth, mine makes much the same kind of sound as you reveal in your 2nd video. Always has. I think this model was rather well known for it. Since it's something I can't really hear when I'm riding I'm just not worrying about it - still like it at 32,000km.

If you do change the bearings I'd be interested to hear an "after" video of the wheel being rotated by hand again.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:21 pm
by homie
We don't know where you are from, please update your profile... it helps us help you :D
http://www.hondapartshouse.com/

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:35 pm
by homie
http://www.hondapartshouse.com/

Use the 2013 'face set driven' assembly if you can get it, but the 2015 assembly might be interchangeable. The newer part number hasn't failed to date for us LED owners but I don't know of any yet who have installed it. There won't be a PCX listing for 2012 or 2014 in their parts cat as nothing changed on PCX during those years.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:44 pm
by Mel46
Maverick,
You have 32,000km on your bike and have heard the sound for quite a While? That is not good, especially if it is that bearing. It should be quite worn by now. Don't be surprised if it seizes soon. As it gets worse it will get louder. Eventually it will be screaming at you. Notice on the second video that the bike is not running while he is rotating the wheel backwards. Try that. If it sounds like it is grinding, like that one does, then you need to get it changed as soon as possible.
I have attached a parts list for a 2013. This site does not have 2014 version of the pcx, but the part is in the same place. Your dealer could order it, and even install it if you want. Look at item #8. That is the assembly you need.
http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/201 ... #sch794095

By the way, what you hear after it has been changed is silence.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 5:54 pm
by Nemesis
Just updated the profile, I am from Austria.

When I see the prices on hondapartshouse.com I can only be jealous... o_O 26$ for the whole "face set, driven", part 8...

Here in Austria/Germany the same part comes around 165 $ + shipping. Even only these two bearings (18+19 parts) come to around 40 $ without shipping. :cry:
https://www.bike-parts-honda.de/pieces- ... ITION.html


I will open the CVT case and try to locate the problem in the next days. I have the necessary tools for the clutch and vario since I alredy changed the vario weights to 15g (mine came with original 17g weights). Will report about it.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 6:07 pm
by Mel46
When mine was worked on the description said Clutch Driven Face bearings. They might not be as simple to remove as the picture shows. Also, when we looked up the bearings themselves there were two different part numbers for both #18 and for #19, each with a different price. That makes for a good reason to let the shop do the ordering.
I can't believe the prices are THAT different over There!

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 6:32 pm
by Mel46
Nemesis,
Same applies to your bike. Yours would probably be considered a 2013 as far as parts go.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 6:38 pm
by TheMaverick
Mel46 wrote:Maverick,
You have 32,000km on your bike and have heard the sound for quite a While? That is not good, especially if it is that bearing. It should be quite worn by now. Don't be surprised if it seizes soon. As it gets worse it will get louder. Eventually it will be screaming at you. Notice on the second video that the bike is not running while he is rotating the wheel backwards. Try that. If it sounds like it is grinding, like that one does, then you need to get it changed as soon as possible.
I have attached a parts list for a 2013. This site does not have 2014 version of the pcx, but the part is in the same place. Your dealer could order it, and even install it if you want. Look at item #8. That is the assembly you need.
http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/201 ... #sch794095

By the way, what you hear after it has been changed is silence.
Thanks. Can't say it's got any worse - just seems to have been the same since I got it, and I didn't really know it was supposed to sound any different. Does anyone have a video of how it's supposed to sound? Dealer has mentioned it a couple of times and changed the rear drive oil thinking it might help, but it hasn't made any difference.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 7:40 pm
by Mel46
http://hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t ... ng#p105084

Maybe you will find the video that has the sound of a good bearing on this thread.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 10:28 pm
by TheMaverick
Mel46 wrote:http://hondapcx.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t ... ng#p105084

Maybe you will find the video that has the sound of a good bearing on this thread.
Thanks Mel. A video on that thread lead to a few more, so I think I've got a pretty good idea how the whole thing hangs together now.

Does anyone know what tools are required to just replace the bearings themselves? Reason I ask is that getting the whole assembly is a bit of a mission for me verses the fact that I have a specialist bearing shop about 2km away and access to wholesale prices.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:29 am
by Mel46
I think mostly you would have to have a way to press the bearings out and back in. Also make sure you use the grease that comes with the kit or find out which grease Honda recommends. I remember someone mentioning a spring and a 39mm socket, but I am not a whisperer so I will leave that answer to one of them. I think Homie would know.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 6:12 pm
by TheMaverick
Mel46 wrote:I think mostly you would have to have a way to press the bearings out and back in. Also make sure you use the grease that comes with the kit or find out which grease Honda recommends. I remember someone mentioning a spring and a 39mm socket, but I am not a whisperer so I will leave that answer to one of them. I think Homie would know.
I'll have to research it more. In my case I have access to 2 engineering businesses with hydraulic presses (one is a customer of mine and the other uses my WiFi for his business, so owes me a favour or two!) - I'd still need to find out what was involved before I stripped it down though.

Thanks for your help - much appreciated.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:56 pm
by Nemesis
Here is a great video-tutorial for how to change these bearings... Peace of cake wit the right tools :lol:


Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 2:13 pm
by you you
And he's practicing safe socks... :lol:

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 5:38 pm
by TheMaverick
Nemesis wrote:Here is a great video-tutorial for how to change these bearings... Peace of cake wit the right tools :lol:

Thanks for that. I'm starting to lean towards just replacing the whole driven face complete with bearings.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:56 pm
by TheMaverick
TheMaverick wrote:
Nemesis wrote:Here is a great video-tutorial for how to change these bearings... Peace of cake wit the right tools :lol:

Thanks for that. I'm starting to lean towards just replacing the whole driven face complete with bearings.
Update: Spoke with my engineering friend - piece of cake to change the bearings, but one of the bearings is an oddball Honda size according to the SKF bearing chappies. Bike bandit wanted to charge me around USD 90 just for freight, so I shopped around and ordered a complete driven face assy from PartZilla for around NZD50 inc delivery - so fingers crossed.

Gave the back wheel a spin by hand today - I don't think the sound is any louder, but it feels rougher - so probably good time to replace it.

Re: Strange sound from the vario

Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 9:09 am
by homie
@Maveric & Nemesis

When you get the new part it will not be greased properly. There might be a packet of grease with it or not. Here's the deal... It could say with instruction to add 7 grams of grease and I will check the service manual for confirmation on this but it's absolutely critical you pay attention to this application of grease between the bearings and don't trust the packet of grease is of the correct amount or quality.

Best to have too little than too much as too much exits the area and gets on the clutch shoes. If this happens you will eventually squeal and shudder on acceleration as grease begins to burn off on the clutch shoes. This will go on forever and cause you to read another thread on fixing or replacing contaminated clutch shoes.

Spare yourself this chain of events and let's talk about what quality of grease product you choose to keep it from melting down into the clutch and prepare with scales to meet the SM's requirements in grease weight application BETWEEN the two bearings ONLY. A clean and proper application and assembly is necessary in this delicate balance of grease that rides in close proximity of your sensitive clutch shoes.