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Linear Guides - Rattling Noise  

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el_hopaness
(@el_hopaness)
Active Member
Linear Guides - Rattling Noise

On my printer I noticed that the linear bearings (X and Y) are "rattling" a bit. I can hear that when moving the axes by hand. Although the humming of the stepper motors when moving by hand is still louder than the bearings.

Wanted to check with you if anyone reports the same and whether you think that is worth investigating.

A cause I can think of is the balls moving in the carriage. The printer already did a few hours of printing at 45° chamber temperature, gave me good results on PETG prints. Maybe due to the higher temperature a decent amount of lubricant collected on both ends of the rails, but that would usually not concern me. I  moved lubricant residue to the center of rails as I do not have the injection needle that comes with the lubrication kit. I also noticed that the X axis carriage has an injection point for lubricant, but both Y axes carriages (the ones running on the cylindrical rods) do not...

This topic was modified 6 months ago by el_hopaness
Posted : 01/05/2025 9:04 am
el_hopaness
(@el_hopaness)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Linear Guides - Rattling Noise

And I just noticed Jürgen mentioned something similar in another post: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/postid/746006/

Posted : 01/05/2025 9:13 am
Rainer
(@rainer-2)
Honorable Member
RE: Linear Guides - Rattling Noise

I also had this rattling. Not at first, but it got more and more.

However, nothing negative was noticeable when moving the print head.

The prints were also flawless.

I then ordered the lubrication kit from Prusa and lubricated according to the instructions from Prusa XL. Since then, the noise has returned to normal.

Posted : 01/05/2025 3:12 pm
1 people liked
el_hopaness
(@el_hopaness)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Linear Guides - Rattling Noise

Thank you. I will try this, then.

Posted : 02/05/2025 12:06 pm
HaydenWizard
(@haydenwizard)
Member
RE: Linear Guides - Rattling Noise

I have rattling on the X-Axis as well, it was concerning but maybe lubrication can fix it. 
Was your sort of a metalic rattle as it moved along X?

How did you do the lubrication and where? 
Sorry if it's a bother but I can't seem to find a good source

Posted : 03/11/2025 9:30 pm
Jürgen
(@jurgen-7)
Noble Member
RE: Linear Guides - Rattling Noise
Posted by: @haydenwizard

How did you do the lubrication and where? 
Sorry if it's a bother but I can't seem to find a good source

I think what Rainer mentioned a few months ago is still true: Lubrication instructions have only been published for the XL so far. https://help.prusa3d.com/guide/how-to-lubricate-linear-bearing-rails-xl_384273#815405

Key points: You need the dedicated lubrication kit with low viscosity lubricant; don't use the grease that comes with the printer! The X carriage has lubrication ports on either side; you inject some lubricant there with the syringe included in the kit.  

Posted : 03/11/2025 10:15 pm
HaydenWizard
(@haydenwizard)
Member
RE: Linear Guides - Rattling Noise

Was that for the core 1? Did it solve the issue just lubricating the linear rail. I don't think there is X bearings, maybe though

Posted : 04/11/2025 3:27 am
Artur5
(@artur5)
Honorable Member
RE: Linear Guides - Rattling Noise

Prusa's instructions for lubricating the XL linear rails are a joke. It's impossible to inject correctly thick lubricant with a fine needle through those tiny side holes. This method is only suitable for light oils, which are not appropriate in this case.

The linear rails must be first degreased with IPA and then properly lubricated BEFORE assembling them into the extrussions. See the correct way to do it at the following link of LDOMotors web:

https://docs.ldomotors.com/guides/rail_grease_guide

 

Posted : 04/11/2025 5:59 pm
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