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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> I need help with a rod knock....
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Message started by Lil Em on 07/29/05 at 18:52:39

Title: I need help with a rod knock....
Post by Lil Em on 07/29/05 at 18:52:39

I'm new to my 97' Savage. We just changed the plug and did a valve adjustment. Now we think we here a rod knock. How do we determine that it is? Is it worth taking it in and having someone check it? How much does it cost for a rebuild? Should I stop riding it?

I know, I know lots of questions. Remember I'm a newbie and need ya'lls help.

Thanks.

Title: Re: I need help with a rod knock....
Post by Dynobob on 07/29/05 at 19:42:42

Lil Em wrote:

We just changed the plug and did a valve adjustment. Now we think we here a rod knock.

I doubt you have a rod knock unless the bike's been run low on oil. It sounds like the valve adjustment wasn't done correctly and you're hearing the valves. There are detailed instructions on this board about adjusting the valves.

Title: Re: I need help with a rod knock....
Post by slavy on 07/29/05 at 19:48:08

So far I have not heard of a bad crank shaft in a Savage. The crank has needle bearing and is extremely hard to destroy. The first thought is a bad cam chain- very common problem. If I am correct the chain is about $90 from the dealer. When You change the chain, You will need the clutch cover gasket and it will be a good idea to R&R the famous plug, so You don't have oil leak in the future. Also make sure the cam chain tentioner is alll there. You don't have to remove the head and it is not very hard to do, but if You don't have any expirience- better let somebody who knows what is he doing to do it.

Title: Re: I need help with a rod knock....
Post by bobo383 on 07/29/05 at 22:45:37

I really doubt you have a rod knocking. Do you have an engine stethoscope? Also called a mechanics stethoscope, you can get one at any auto parts store. Northern Tool's website lists them for $5:
http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/160875_lg.gif

With this little dude you can pinpoint the source of the noise.

The rod rides the crank on a needlebearing, and the crank rides in roller bearings in the engine cases - It's not a plain bearing setup like a car engine. The bottom end of the Savage is completely bulletproof.

The top end, however, is the weak link -- plain-bearing all the way, not even any soft metal inserts - just steel-on-steel and steel-on-aluminum. You can imagine it can't stand being without oil, and can get very noisy.

I hope you don't have what I had on my first Savage and on my current project Savage.

My first Savage, a 98, had been oil starved and had so much wear on the rocker arm "lifter" surfaces that you had to adjust the valve screws WAY down, and even then the exhaust rocker was hitting the decompression rod and the top of the head rather than following the cam's low spots. Hell of alot of noise it made. Alot of well-intentioned folks said the rod was loose, but that was not the case for me. Rocker arm replacement hushed the noise.

Of course there are alternatives to rocker replacement, like heating/bending the lifter arm; or welding up the lifter surface and re-surfacing it. Then re-heat treat the whole thing in the winter time when you have a good fire going.