Grinding when turning right in reverse

[coffinman]

Hello, all! I have a 2005 avenger that makes a very irritating grinding noise when I put it in reverse, and hold the handlebar back on the right. I've taken off the firewall, and watched it as I do it, and can't see anything that would cause the issue. Note, it doesn't do it in any other scenario, ie; forward turning or reverse holding the steering to the left. Also note that the left-side drive chain is slightly loose, but this has never affected it before.

Any help would be appreciated.

Argojim, I'm counting on your guru wisdom!!

[mightymaxIV]

Check the shafts coming off the transmission, follow them to the point where they meet the frame and then check the bearings where those shafts mount to the frame. If those frame mounted bearings on either side are shot the shafts will move and can cause all kinds of noise as the chains or shaft could be rubbing against any number of things when you apply the brake.

My blew this bearing on my HDI and didn't even know it until I started having some noise issues on one side.

[ARGOJIM]

As Dan wrote, check your idler shafts bearings. Use a pybar and from under the jackshaft pry up, there should be no movement.
Next check that your caliper bolts are tight, rotor not grinding the caliper and of course check the brake shoes for descent widthe and no broken/missing cotter pin. Next check that your transmission bolts are tight, recently found on a customers and helped an owner of new model machine on fb with this.
All this will check for an out of alignment issue you described in reverse.
There are many possible causes but something rocking seems logical since it's only in reverse turning right.

[coffinman]

Thank you both for the suggestions. I'll up-date soon!

[trevorakm1]

lift it so the wheels are all off the ground and wiggle the tires. I had an inner front bearing destroyed that gave the front axle wiggle room that only clunked turning turns.

[Murray40]

Just like to second “master mudders “suggestion. When looking for problems I jack and block so all wheels are free wheeling.
Remove floor boards and run the power train. You should be able to isolate the noise.

[coffinman]

UPDATE:

I took our beloved 2005 Avenger to the mechanic who quickly diagnosed the grinding noise. NEW TRANNY TIME!! Egad! Anyone know where to score a new, or rebuilt tranny for my Avenger? What is the cost for a new, or rebuilt?

(Good Lord! What a day!!)

[ARGOJIM]

Post a couple videos of what it doing, preferably driving and jacked up. Using steering brakes and not
If is just the reverse idle gear it's no biggie.

[coffinman]

Thanks, Jim, but it's at the shop an hour away, so no vids. We he told me it was the tranny, I asked if he could rebuild it and he said he couldn't. I've ordered a rebuilt from argo adventures to be over-nighted to the shop for a pretty decent price. The only problem now is We're going to miss our beloved "Snurf" terribly while it's having major surgery! Thanks for all your advice, guru!

Chris & Monique

[coffinman]

We got our beloved "Snurf" back from the shop yesterday. New tranny, and scheduled maintenance. Runs great, and happy to have it back! Thanks to all for your help!