Bow is squeaking when drawn

[bigpaw 77]

My new bow just started a loud squeak when I draw it back. It sounds like it is coming from the bottom limb or cam area. I have checked very thoroughly and see no cracks or anything rubbing. What can I do ? Will it go away after a while (I have only had it a week and have shot maybe 50 arrows from it) or should I lubricate it somewhere? It is brand new off the shelf.
Thanks

[RadSav]

What brand?

[kentrek]

Mathews ?

[bigpaw 77]

Sorry, it is a G5 quest.

[Austrian Hunter]

Oil the crap out off it!

[jgrimes]

Sorry, it is a G5 quest.

Try oiling the bearings in the suspected cam. If you still have the squeak, take it to your local pro shop (NOT Cabela's  ) and have them take a look at it. Might cost a little in labor to get it fixed, but not something you wanna have making noise when you're drawing back on an animal. If you know how to press, disassemble, and reassemble a bow, then start the surgery! Good luck.

[Button Nubbs]

Could be your limb pocket also.

I had a bow that started squeaking after I put new strings and cables on it. It about made me rip my hair out, I took everything apart took the cam off the bow cleaned it set it all back up and it still did it. I said F-it and put some arrows thru it. The squeak went away.

[Timberstalker]

Jeremy,
Shoot it.  It is just breaking in.  No pun intended.  If it keeps squeaking after 100 to 150 arrows bring it back it and have them look at it. 

[bigpaw 77]

I will shoot it more and see if it goes away. Dan do you have plans for elk season yet? I will be in 175 for archery elk.

[RadSav]

Never oil the cams on a modern sealed bearing and self lubricating bushings!  It will do nothing to help speed or squeaks and will attract dirt like a lint trap.  If anything you want to wipe them dry, but that can only be done with a good bow press.  And, unless you are familiar with bows it is something best left to your local pro-shop.  Agreed, Cabela's would not be my first choice either.

Four things usually cause squeaks on a brand new bow; burrs on spacer washers, loose screws on the draw length module, limb pivot fulcrum and limb pocket lock screws.

First try to tighten the set screws that hold the module in place.  Make sure they are snug, but be careful not to over tighten as the aluminum threads are easy to strip.

Second, back off the limb pocket lock screws and then retighted.  Again, you want them snug but not tight enough to strip the aluminum threads.  Now shoot the bow a few times and see if these things have eliminated your squeak problem.  On the G5 bows it is a good chance your squeaks have now gone away.

If you continue to have problems shoot about 100 arrows.  If it is burrs on the spacer washers this will often times fix itself by simply shooting.  If not you will probably need your local proshop to complete step three and four.

Third thing, remove the axle and cam from the problem limb.  Using super fine emery paper lightly rub all spacer washers to eliminate any burrs.  Before reassembly use a pair of calipers to measure the machined gap in the limb fork at the axle holes.  Then stack all spacer washers on the cam bearing and use calipers to measure overall thickness.  If the thickness is greater than the limb gap by more than .002" you will want to work the washers a little more on the emery paper until the thickness is within the .002" of the limb fork gap.  Many of these washers will expand and contract based upon the amount of moisture they absorb.  So even though they were properly spaced at the factory doesn't necessarily mean they will be perfect once they reach the pacific northwest.  Leaving .001 - .002" should allow for them to shrink in the dryness of summer without a rattle in the cam.

Fourth, limb pivots are probably responsible for the vast majority of snap, crackle and pop in our limbs.  Often the noise vibrates out the limb where it appears the cam is making the noise when it is not.  The limb must move freely on this fulcrum which must hold great amounts of friction and pressure.  Some companies use a dry self lubricating fulcrum material and others use a greased fulcrum.  Both have strengths and weaknesses.  Greased they attract large particles of dirt and grit that in time will gum up and cause friction that often leads to noise.  Dry/self-lubricating will often bond with the finish such as paint or lacquers.

If your fulcrum is greased I would have it removed of all excess grease leaving just enough to get the job done and a minimal amount to attract dirt.  I find that many of the bow companies use the popular red general purpose lithium grease.  This is not good stuff in the northwest as it gets washed away by water easily being detergent based.  I prefer a high load lithium bearing grease with no detergents whatsoever.

If your fulcrum is a dry/self-lubricated style which I think it is on the G5 all you need is some beeswax or bowstring wax.  Simply wipe down the area contacting the fulcrum and that should be it.  The wax will create a barrier between the painted surface and the fulcrum that will not attract dirt or other debris.

If none of these things seem to do the trick...Send It Back!!!  G5 is a great company owned by some very good people.  I have no doubt they will do what it takes to make their products work for you.

Good Luck!

[jgrimes]

Never oil the cams on a modern sealed bearing and self lubricating bushings!  It will do nothing to help speed or squeaks and will attract dirt like a lint trap.  If anything you want to wipe them dry, but that can only be done with a good bow press.  And, unless you are familiar with bows it is something best left to your local pro-shop.  Agreed, Cabela's would not be my first choice either.

  I was wrong in telling you to oil those bearings. Just got off the phone with my pro shop (a PRIME dealer) and he said that it is more than likely something in that lower limb pocket. RadSav posted some great advice.

[Todd_ID]

Great post on bow maintenance RadSav!   

[bigpaw 77]

Great, thanks for the help guys. I have been gone all weekend, but will get at it this week.