04 Patriot "creaking" on the draw?

[DaveC]

My bow is making some bad creaking noise in the initial part of the draw.
It doesn't NORMALLY do it when cranked to max weight, but anytime I let off of the limb bolts it sounds like an old screen door.

Is there something in the new fancy limb pockets that needs lubed?

What's that little bolt one one side of the limb pockets doing there?
Both of mine were other than tight.

Could it be my axles that need lubed? (shouldn't that have been done at the factory?)

Anyone got a cure for a "creaky" Patriot?

[walks with a gimp]

The "little bolts" on the side of your limb pockets are the locking screws that hold the limb pockets tight against the riser and to help eliminate the limb bolts backing out. These screws should be loosened when you want to change the draw weight and then re-tightened after the desired weight is reached. I'd bet this is where the noise is coming from.

[DaveC]

Ooops!
Thanks WAAG's, I didn't know that.

Nor did I read it in the owners manual.
I guess I was just supposed to be born with that knowledge? [&o]

Thanks again.

[DaveC]

The creak came back when I reduced draw weight (trouble shooting) and then returned it to maxed out. I then took 1/8th of a turn out of the bottom limb and the noise disappeared.
What do I need to lubricate?

[mrfritz44]

For what it's worth, I noticed that when my proshop guy replaced the limbs on my Patriot, he put a bead of some kind of waxy lubricant on the plastic(?) cushions that are inserted in between the limb and pocket.

Any Bowtech guys comment on what that lube is, and if that could be the cause?

[pro38_shooter]

When we assemble the bows here, the "pad" between the limb and pivoting pocket is lubed with red grease. What we need to do is isolate the noise. If it is in the limb pocket, it may be a case where there is dirt or debris.

The cam has a bearing, a light TEFLON based oil will work fine on it.

Let me know if you have anymore problems.

[DaveC]

The noise is still there, just not with every draw. It sounds like small rocks crushing.
You know, the kind of noise that will send any self respecting deer into the next county[:'(].

I called a local bowshop and they said they would have to look at it, fair enough- but I would rather be hunting instead of making another trip to the bow shop (at least we have one now).
I do have some tri-flow (I think that's the name) lube I bought to lube my other bows axles. I'm willing to do so if that's the trick. I just didn't want to break it down if I didn't have to.

If I don't get this licked before my first hunt I'll be hunting with my Old Z-light in hand!