Showerthought: My backyard elevator mockup made pulley noise make sense

I was fiddling with a simple elevator model using spare parts in my shed. The squeak from a misaligned pulley sounded just like the ones in older buildings I service. What's your go-to fix for persistent pulley noise?

3 comments

3 Comments

hall.ruby1mo ago

For squeaky pulleys, alignment is key. Misaligned pulleys cause friction and that awful noise. I use a straight edge to check if they're lined up properly. If not, I adjust the mounts until they're parallel. A drop of light oil on the axle often silences it for good. Worn bearings are another culprit, so I replace them if needed.

west.alice1mo ago

I always thought squeaky pulleys just needed oil, nothing more. Your tip about checking alignment first made me see it differently. Now I know to look for misalignment before adding oil.

theawest29d ago

Light oil can attract dust and make things worse over time. Dry lubricant spray works better for pulleys. It doesn't gunk up like oil does.