2019 Outback Squeaky Drive

Hello all- long time PA and Outback owner here. My PA is 6 yrs old and the drive is as good as new. I also have a 2019 Outback that is about a year old. 5 trips ago I noticed the drive was squeaking. I did some research and couldn’t find a clear response on whether or not the needle bearings should be greased or oiled. I recently took the drive apart and cleaned it. Then I greased all 7 needle bearings casings with high quality marine grease. Next trip out it still squeaks. Any ideas are appreciated.

I expect adjusting the cable tensions may fix the problem. At a guess I would say they just slightly too tight.

Welcome to the forum!

If you haven't already you might lubricate the areas pointed out in this video. I would bet it's something in the drive that isn't adjusted properly or not lubricated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA2tVDsNBG0

Good tips on that video. Once I started lubing in the prescribed areas my squeaky drive became silent.
~JOE~

That's one of the first things I did. No luck. I first tried a thin super lube oil that works great on machinery on decks of ships. No improvement. I then tried a thicker marine oil. No improvement. I then disassembled, cleaned, and greased all needle bearing sections. No improvement. Gonna try the trial and error cable tension adjustments in the next day or two.

Three trips later and over 24 quarter turn adjustments (one at time) to loosen and tighten all 3 cables it still squeaks. I think I have narrowed it down the drums and not the sprockets or idler pulley. Anybody got any other ideas?

Maybe a video? Hard to imagine the drums causing this. Basic GT bearings.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Rich from Fishaholic fishing on youtube is squeaking too.

I will make a video of mine next trip out. It will be posted on my youtube page here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCALav7 ... Mw8Dnu4syQ
I looked at fishaholic's page and couldn't find a vid where he mentions a squeaky drive. Do you know which one it is?

Could be this https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=66595

Update: Made 2 trips this week.
First trip: drive squeaked for about 2 minutes then stopped making noise for the next 3 miles. No adjustments were made since last trip so I don't understand it. I did make a 30 second video of it but did not upload it. I can post it on youtube if anyone is interested just let me know.
Second trip: drive also squeaked for about 2 minutes then stopped for 4 miles. Again no adjustment have been made. Kinda strange but I can live with that.

Thanks Swfinatic for your suggestion. After I cleaned and put grease in my drive, I had already set the tension as Mr. Miller has stated in his post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RuVmGFhCAE
Around the 3:30 mark.

Thanks greenmeanie. Same sound mine was making. 2 trips ago it squeaked for about 20 strokes then stopped again.