2008 Front End Noise of Bumps

[terrysig]

Gang,

Have an 08 with about 500 miles and everytime I hit a bump I hear what sounds like something (or things) loose. I'm coming off a 04 that I rode for 55K and never had the issue.

I've spent hours, first checking bolts, then shaking every bit in the front end.

Finally I checked the head light adjustment knobs...could they possibly be the source of my aggrevations?

Is anyone else seeing this on the Gen IIs??

My apologies if covered elsewhere.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Gang,
Have an 08 with about 500 miles and everytime I hit a bump I hear what sounds like something (or things) loose. I'm coming off a 04 that I rode for 55K and never had the issue.

I've spent hours, first checking bolts, then shaking every bit in the front end.

Finally I checked the head light adjustment knobs...could they possibly be the source of my aggrevations?

Is anyone else seeing this on the Gen IIs??

My apologies if covered elsewhere.

*******************************************

If it sounds like a bucket of bolts, I cant imagine...but if it's more like a CLUNKING, then check the torque on the steering head cap...mine was loose when I bought it, and sounded like the front end was about to fall off till I torqued it down.

 

[mdisher]

Many Gen II's seem to have a needed their head bearings re-torqued, or tightened.

My 06 did as well.

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Many Gen II's seem to have a needed their head bearings re-torqued, or tightened.
My 06 did as well.

************************

My bearings were torqued to spec after checking, was only the cap that needed tightening. I have heard of 2 others that had the same problem, only the cap loose.

 

[mdisher]

Many Gen II's seem to have a needed their head bearings re-torqued, or tightened.
My 06 did as well.

************************

My bearings were torqued to spec after checking, was only the cap that needed tightening. I have heard of 2 others that had the same problem, only the cap loose.

Call me silly, but the 'Nut' on the tree isn't what provides the torque to the bearings.

It's merely a cover to the actually goodness that resides underneath.

 

[terrysig]

Yeah, had this same issue with my 04 and yes, definitely the 08 has loosened. I can feel it and will go through the steering head torque procedure but that doesn't seem to be it. Just a minor clunk from the steering head bearing. the bucket of bolts feeling is beyond that.

I checked the cap already...if it were loose I would have performed the S.H.B. retorque immediately. I figured I'd let it loosen a little more to stave off having to do it again right away.

My 04 never did settle very well for steering head bearings, about every 3K I'd have to retorque them. I was actually thinking of changing them out but never did. Might do that immediately with the 08.

We're in the low teens with snow now otherwise I'd be testing out the light addjustment knob theory by taping them down and going out for a ride?

 

[ionbeam]

How are the brake rotors? For some reason a few FJRs end up with rotors that are loose.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Are you sure it's not simply something loose enough to move at a bump? Maybe the headlight adjuster cable you mentioned? A wire harness hitting the fairing? Battery cable? Something loose in the bottom of the glove box? Loose windshield arms?

 

[SouthernCruizer]

Many Gen II's seem to have a needed their head bearings re-torqued, or tightened.
My 06 did as well.

************************

My bearings were torqued to spec after checking, was only the cap that needed tightening. I have heard of 2 others that had the same problem, only the cap loose.

Call me silly, but the 'Nut' on the tree isn't what provides the torque to the bearings.

It's merely a cover to the actually goodness that resides underneath.

*******************************************

You are not silly, that's exactly correct. Therefore, your bearings can be torqued correctly (as mine were), but trust me, it that "cap" is loose, you will definitely hear and feel it in the front end. If the "cap" is found to be loose, then for sure you'd want to check the actual bearings for snugness.

 

[terrysig]

How are the brake rotors? For some reason a few FJRs end up with rotors that are loose.

I remember that and checked. Nothing going on with the rotors or the carrier.

The damndest thing, we've got temps in the 50s tomorrow so I'll try to get to the bottom of it.

 

[terrysig]

Are you sure it's not simply something loose enough to move at a bump? Maybe the headlight adjuster cable you mentioned? A wire harness hitting the fairing? Battery cable? Something loose in the bottom of the glove box? Loose windshield arms?

Well that's exactly wht I'm tryiung to determine...except that we got the damn weather before I could get it sorted out. It won't do it in the garage. It got to eating at me and I figured to try the forum for any Gen II specific items.

But your checklist of items is exactly what I'll be checking when I can ride. In the teens and snow now, actually not a big deal since the roads are clear but F***ing PA in my area dumps a ton of salt and I hate to get that salt dust throughout the bike.

 

[str8]

My 08 has the same rattle as you describe. It seams to come from within the front fairing area. Could be the brake rotors. I think it is something else. I checked the head bearings as per the manual and they are good. I looked for it once and gave up and went riding. Looking forward to your answer.

 

[terrysig]

Not that it's good that you have it but at least I'm not crazy!! :agree:

My best guess was that it is right behind the air vent below the instrument cluster. I checked everything that I could in that are and it seemed solid.

What bugs me is that I can seriously see running into something while I'm riding and poking around to figure out what it is!

I can see your point of giving up and just riding but the 04 didn't have the rattle so it bugs me.

I'll let you know what I find.

 

[big ears]

Mine had a clunk when hitting a bumb until I loosened the upper tree pinch bolts and torqued down the cap and then retightened the pinch bolts. No more clunk. The bearing bolts were torqued ok at the time of the clunking. The little covers on the windshield use to rattle some until I took them off and put some foam under them.

 

[big ears]

Mine had a clunk when hitting a bumb until I loosened the upper tree pinch bolts and torqued down the cap and then retightened the pinch bolts. No more clunk. The bearing bolts were torqued ok at the time of the clunking. The little covers on the windshield use to rattle some until I took them off and put some foam under them.

 

[Rondo777]

Many Gen II's seem to have a needed their head bearings re-torqued, or tightened.
My 06 did as well.

************************

My bearings were torqued to spec after checking, was only the cap that needed tightening. I have heard of 2 others that had the same problem, only the cap loose.

Make it 3, mine was loose as well, it needs to be tightened to 85lbs and all noise from my front end was eliminalted, 06 here!

 

[Lowcountry Joe]

The 08's (mine included) have loosely mounted brake pads under the front calipers. They rattle a little on some 08's and dont rattle much on other 08's. Reach behind the caliper in the front and jiggle the brake pads, you'll see what I mean. They sit in there loose, they are not tight...and that may be what you are hearing as you ride down the road. And as you ride down the road, pull the front brakes a little and see if what you are hearing goes away...if it does, then it's probably the brake pads.

I don't notice any extra rattling on mine, but some other 08 owners have commented on the issue. (Besides, I can't hear worth a ****, so don't use me as a barometer!) Hope this helps. LCJ

 

[JohnB]

The 08's (mine included) have loosely mounted brake pads under the front calipers. They rattle a little on some 08's and dont rattle much on other 08's. Reach behind the caliper in the front and jiggle the brake pads, you'll see what I mean. They sit in there loose, they are not tight...and that may be what you are hearing as you ride down the road. And as you ride down the road, pull the front brakes a little and see if what you are hearing goes away...if it does, then it's probably the brake pads.
I don't notice any extra rattling on mine, but some other 08 owners have commented on the issue. (Besides, I can't hear worth a ****, so don't use me as a barometer!) Hope this helps. LCJ

+1. My '06 had done this from day 1. I don't think this is a problem other than the noise being annoying. I've never had a braking problem with the bike.

 

[str8]

The 08's (mine included) have loosely mounted brake pads under the front calipers. They rattle a little on some 08's and dont rattle much on other 08's. Reach behind the caliper in the front and jiggle the brake pads, you'll see what I mean. They sit in there loose, they are not tight...and that may be what you are hearing as you ride down the road. And as you ride down the road, pull the front brakes a little and see if what you are hearing goes away...if it does, then it's probably the brake pads.

This sounds to me like a logical answer. Me check brake pads next ride. Could be a while; its -10 and snowing. Won't get warm for another 3-4 months. :angry: