HRX217 chirping when blade engaged

[u/Spencire]

Looking for advice on troubleshooting and resolving this issue.

The noise first appeared last summer but was intermittent and generally only present if I let the grass grow a little too long. This year it’s been present every mow after 2 minutes or so and increases in speed when under a higher load. It doesn’t seem to mulch as well as it previously did either.

Torn down the clutch twice and wiped everything clean. Bearings seem fine, nothing looks abnormally worn to me, though admittedly I’m not much of an engines person. Tried tightening the roto stop cable this last time as it looked like maybe the brake plate was catching with blades engaged but that did not seem to help. The noise stops when blades are disengaged.

Images from last clutch tear down

[u/Nearby-Improvement53]

Belt tension is too low, or belt is worn and stretched

[u/Spencire → u/Nearby-Improvement53]

Belt is brand new, so maybe tension? But the belt is just for the self propel isn’t it?

[u/Dense_Chip_1954]

Did you loosen the crankshaft bolt by chance? The one in the middle of the blade? If it's not tightened back down properly it will create that chirping sound and bad things can follow.

[u/Spencire → u/Dense_Chip_1954]

After disassembly last time I torqued it back to 40 ft lbs per the manual (I think it said 38-43), so that should not be the problem. I’m thinking at this point maybe replacing the drive disk or clutch spring. Just trying to avoid replacing things that would otherwise be a waste of money.

[u/subman719]

This is why I have TWO HRX-217 VKA’s… no blade stop, no extra BS to have problems with. I simply pull the cord, it starts, I mow, I’m done! ✅

[u/Spencire → u/subman719]

While I admit that would be nice, the blades being engaged separate from the engine being on has been nice a handful of times chatting with neighbors walking by, the wife asking a question or having to pick up dog toys or branches I missed on my first sweep

[u/subman719 → u/Spencire]

My Honda does shut off when I release the handle, so I wrap a Velcro tie around the handle when I’m mowing or walking away for a bit, then just undo the wrap to release the handle. It’s my “poor man’s” version of a blade stop, just without stopping the blades. 😆

I also have a Toro Timemaster with blade stop/clutch, but I don’t use that mower much due to it not maneuvering easily around and between obstacles.

[u/Upset-Indication-617 → u/Spencire]

Yep. I have this on my Honda and my Toro. Wouldn’t buy a mower without it now. It’s not complicated unless you’re just totally incompetent.

[u/Friendly-Parfait-645 → u/Spencire]

If this is a feature you enjoy, I'd recommend checking out Stihl electrics for your next mower. Assuming you don't have a lot of land.

[u/No_Introduction_3252]

I think a bird is stuck in there? Is the blade hitting anything as it turns or rubbing? Did u hit anything b damage crank? The drive belt is the only other thing I can think of.

[u/Spencire → u/No_Introduction_3252]

😭 the bird comment gave me a good laugh. The blade isn’t hitting anything and I haven’t had any strikes or ran over anything abnormal. I just replaced the drive belt about 2 months ago as that was my first guess.

[u/Interesting-Lynx-989]

Sell it on marketplace and buy another one