Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley
 
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Trixie
(@trixie)
Active Member
Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

The pulley in the end of my MINI's X-axis is noisy. It clicks when the X-axis moves long distances. If I look into the end of the X-axis, I can see the pulley slowly shift to one side and then click when it hits the side of the housing. It looks like the pulley is getting snagged by the bolt running through it and getting screwed into the side of the housing until it pops. The pulley clicks about 3 times when the X-axis travels the full distance.

The pulley also squeaks sometimes during shorter moves. It looks like sometimes the pulley does not click back into the center, but instead stays close to the side of the housing and squeaks.

What can I do to fix this? It doesn't appear to interfere with prints, but the noise is annoying, and I'm worried about long-term wear. I don't know whether this needs tightening, loosening, lubrication, etc.

Opublikowany : 04/08/2020 4:45 am
PhilipE
(@philipe)
New Member
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

I've had my mini for 3 weeks.  I had squeaking at the beginning. It got better when I adjusted the tension in the screw that goes through the pulley.

Just in the last few days, I started getting the clicking, but I haven't been able to make it any better, though. 🙁

Opublikowany : 04/08/2020 8:21 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

on my mk2 and 3 I had an X idler fail on two printers. 
the single bearings collapsed. now I use two bearing idlers off Ebay. 

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Opublikowany : 04/08/2020 9:19 pm
Trixie
(@trixie)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

I did not know that part was called an "idler pulley." Thank you, that made it much easier to find more information! I saw that it might be caused by a failed bearing, an over-tight belt, and a few other things. Ultimately I just tried adjusting all of the bolts in the end piece until I found something that helped. A quarter turn tighter on the pulley itself dampened the noise, and another quarter turn silenced it.

I'll have to see whether the clicking returns later. If the belt is over-tight, then I suspect that it'll just work that bolt loose again. The X-axis was quiet when I first got the printer; the noises only developed after about 3-4 days of use.

Opublikowany : 04/08/2020 10:38 pm
a.taylor
(@a-taylor)
New Member
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

Thought I'd throw some extra information here since this is where I landed when searching for the issue.

I found upon stripping the end off the X-axis that there was in fact a lot of rubbing between the outside of the pulley and the printed part as seen in this image.

My solution was to add a small 3mm tall spacer to each side of the pully bearing. This holds it centred in the printed part. There is still some noise of the belt rubbing against the inside of the pulley but the noise is largely gone.

Before:

If embedded video fails: https://forum.prusa3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/VID_20201230_120852.mp4

This post was modified 3 years temu 2 times by a.taylor
Opublikowany : 30/12/2020 9:34 pm
örkelprint
(@orkelprint)
Eminent Member
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

After I changed my X belt, I had some squeaky problems as well. Also material got chipped off the belt and you could see the belt being a little twisted under load. I couldn't really fix it by fiddling around with the screws.

I decided to print the most recent version of the X-End and since then it appears to work flawless. Maybe reassembling the old part (F1 version) would have worked too.

 

In the picture you can see belt residue and the same wear pattern as in @a-taylor pic.

Opublikowany : 31/12/2020 9:49 am
Oxygen polubić
DangeMask
(@dangemask)
Active Member
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

Old thread, but it pops on top of search for similar issues, so I'll share my experience too. May help somebody in future.

I noticed squeaking noises from my printer, but only a few times per print and wasn't able to find the source. Then I tried to print a model consisting of multiple cylinders fitting inside each other. And I found slight layer shifts in X-axis direction, making the models unusable. Based on tips in this thread, I checked the X-axis end, even tried to reprint it to newer version. But with the layer shifts, I wasn't able to assemble it. So i decided to put everything back and hope for better prints.

When assembling back, I noticed, when trying to move the X manualy, that there was noticeable periadical resistance and it corresponded with rotation of X-axis stepper motor.

TLDR: Check the X-axis pulley. Based on the assembly manual, it should be mounted with 1 mm gap between the motor and pulley. Mine was touching, which resulted in all the issues.

Opublikowany : 27/06/2021 9:40 pm
örkelprint polubić
örkelprint
(@orkelprint)
Eminent Member
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

Yeah squeaking was only fixed temporary for me. I am sure the cause is the belt moving off center which will lead it scrubbing on the sides in the closest and furthest position. I will check the gap but unfortunately I think its positioned correctly in my case.

Opublikowany : 28/06/2021 10:54 am
karl-herbert
(@karl-herbert)
Illustrious Member
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

@bradd

@orkelprint

I had a similar problem with the MK3 and the Mini. After disassembling the x-end pulleys I could determine that the small cheap ball bearings were defective. I have replaced them with higher quality miniature ball bearings, the axle with a cylindrical pin and the problem was solved.

wbr,

Karl

Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.

Opublikowany : 28/06/2021 6:03 pm
lorenzo87
(@lorenzo87)
Member
RE: Clicking & squeaking noises in the X-axis belt pulley

hi karl, I know this discussion is old, but what components did you use? I have the same problem

Opublikowany : 26/01/2024 11:44 pm
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