Bendix Automatic noisy in 1st

mos6502 · Jun 1, 2012

I finally got around to putting the Bendix kickback hub I have onto a bike and riding it. I noticed there is gear noise when running in first, it goes away when in 2nd.

Is this normal, or an indication of a problem? I'm going to double check the bearing adjustment but it seemed fine when I put it in. It stops smoothly and seems to function fine, but it is noisy in 1st.

udallcustombikes · Jun 1, 2012

They do tend to have a bit of a growl in low gear under normal circumstances. It probably wouldn't hurt to rebuild the hub if it hasn't seen fresh grease in this century. Here is a thread covering a rebuild.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21780

Jpromo · Jun 1, 2012

Yeah there's no problem, it just happens (I've heard only on red bands). I had one I rebuilt. Then rebuilt again, a few more times, replacing different parts each time. I think the sun and planet gears just weren't very precision engineered or naturally wear to do that. Mine always worked great and never slipped out of gear though.

CCR · Jun 1, 2012

same growl on the yellows, and in high gear on the blue overdrive versions. just part of being a 2 speed. if you start hearing squeaks though its time to grease it.

gcrank1 · Jun 1, 2012

Through the years Ive noticed that multi-gear apparatus almost always has one gear selection that is noisy, or seems that way compared to the other(s). Im sure that it would benefit from a repack and be good for the rest of your life (or mine, anyway).

mos6502 · Jun 1, 2012

I guess then it's acting as it should. I took a peek inside a few months ago and the grease looked decently fresh but I will probably still repack it sometime soon just to be sure.

clamdigger · Jun 3, 2012

There is a small set of ball bearings behind the adjusting cone that you do not see when you crack it open to have a look inside.Sometimes these do not get repacked and/or adjusted because you need a special tool the Bendix AB-102 tool. Some info and pictures on the How To forum here are lost.There is another Bendix Automatic service manual,along with a how to make your own AB-102 tool in the tech info at the website vancruisers.ca Be sure to clean the axle threads with a fine wire brush and oil them before trying to unscrew the cone.After doing this,the low speed noise on my Redband Automatic went away.