Dear Motorhead:
First, I really enjoy the show. Next, I figured you’d be the one’s to maybe get an answer from on this question since you get to ride these things on a daily basis.
I just bought a 2013 Can Am Commander and what I assume is the CVT or maybe the rear end is terribly loud.
It is like a high-pitched whine or scream. I can hardly even hear the motor when driving down the road and it’s almost deafening. Makes me not want to even drive the machine.
Wondering if you could tell me if this noise is normal or abnormal because no one else can seem to.
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks for your email!
Great question! We’re familiar with the whining sound you’ve described and have noticed it on a number of Can-Am and Polaris ATVs and SXS vehicles.
However, your description sounds pretty severe – I wouldn’t categorize the noise as this severe in my experience.
I’ve spoken to knowledgeable people and they claim the noise is mostly (given there’s not something terribly wrong in your drive line) emanating from your rear differential. Apparently diff gears on many ATV’s are cut to provide long life but not necessarily quiet operation in some applications.
The noise is not an indication of trouble and apparently it could be diminished (as it is in automotive applications) however the off road nature of our vehicles has precluded some OE’s from not altering the diff gear cutting and finishing.
Again, I’m assuming there’s nothing catastrophic amiss with your Commander. Your description of the noise seems pretty severe, in my experience the noise is apparent, but not necessarily intolerable.
Hope this helps!
Mark
