Fixing a Noisy Creaking E-Scooter Stem | ZERO 8X | DUAL MOTOR

Thanks for watching! Please watch all the way to the end and let me know if there's any videos you guys want more content on this scooter - All parts used in this video linked below
My scooters front end has been making all kinds of noise since I got it. From the sounds of feedback....Im not alone. So I've set out to fix it for all of you struggling with a noisy, creaky front end on a foldable scooter.
I've seen a few other models having similar issues, so it isn't just specific to ZERO. It seems any foldable scooter something similar to this could solve your problem as well.
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Link for products from THIS video:
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Spacer for Xiaomi scooters - amzn.to/2LFQam6
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Video shot on Dragon Touch 4K Version 3 - amzn.to/31Sw2CB
Action Camera Mount - amzn.to/2CMtIWl
Action Camera Ball Joint Mount - amzn.to/2CS2SfD
Body mount harness for action camera - amzn.to/2ZLxKYc
Upgraded handlebar - amzn.to/32IHrZn
Upgraded Stem - amzn.to/30wWGlc
Handlebar Phone mount - amzn.to/2ClVcT1
FOX Racing Gloves - amzn.to/39elKkR
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Grip Tape - amzn.to/3jqfFGE
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[@rexvilla9566]

Nice! Got an 8x too for about 2 weeks now and noticed the same issue. Thanks for a place to start, gonna try to come up with something similar.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

I’d say it was honestly my biggest disappointment with the scooter. That and the jingling of the key ring....but that was an easy fix, just remove the key ring. 😂

[@hector_diaff4245]

This is the best video tutorial of world ever!!! Thanks!!! It worked on my 10x, I put in pieces of magnets of the fridge

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Thanks so much for the comment! Glad it works for you. I ordered and just received the upgraded clamp for the scooter and am gonna do a video on the install. It came with a thin metal spacer that is meant to resolve this issue as well. Thanks again!

[@toucansam3217]

So glad I found this. My 10x has been killing me!

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Toucan Sam thanks! I know that noise is super annoying! I actually have a newer video using an upgraded clamp. That will for sure do the trick. It works for 8x and 10x!

[@YouProductions1000]

Thanks for this! Worked on my Apollo ghost. They should really include spacers for the scooter stems.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Thanks for watching! Glad it helped. I agree. Not only a spacer but way better clamps for these. Especially with the speeds they reach you need it to be as stable as possible.

[@Maltmeister1]

Nice job on the quick fix.I used some thin rubber from the floor mat trimmings for the car and it works fantastic..ride and be safe

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Weped Rider I think your solution will work better for longer. My final solution was just upgrading the clamp and that came with an aluminum spacer for that area. Rubber would have been my first choice as well but sometimes you just have to make due with what you have available! Thanks for the comment.....stay safe as well!

[@Maltmeister1]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 I also bought the new upgraded clamp with the spacer and it works well as you well know..Up grade your ride to a weped,,top shelf scooter

[@paultitcomb4724]

Hi man I like your vlogs their personable and unpretentious well presented and useful. I've had mine 3 months and transport has become a hobby and pleasure again instead of just a function. I've seen others who've upgraded to nutt brakes and air shocks, added klaxon and indicators it would be interesting to hear your opinion on them... Good luck!

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Paul Titcomb I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thanks for saying that. I have strongly considered the air shocks but it would really just be because. I don’t have any complaints about the current set up, so unless these break I will probably stray away from that upgrade. Brakes on the other hand.....NEED to be upgraded. No way this thing is stopping fast from 35-0 mph. Had a few close calls because of the brakes. Klaxon and indicators wouldn’t be a bad idea. I left room on my bars in case I did want to add them. For me I can commute through a trail so roads aren’t required. If I needed to be on the road more I would definitely get them. Thanks again for watching. I absolutely LOVE riding this thing. Like you said, brought the pleasure back to transport.

[@thebodyexpert8]

Well done buddy. I’ll be sure to do this on my 10X

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Thank you! As others have mentioned....in addition to the spacer put some grease or Vaseline as well for best results. ✌🏼

[@ccccen]

wd40 takes the top coat off paint so clean it fast if you spray it on cars or bikes been there , done that.

[@naryah22]

Thanks for this idea, man, its so annoying that sweaky sounds.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

naryah22 isn’t it?! No problem though! Ultimately I ended up upgrading the clamp and it comes with a metal spacer for that which is a permanent fix. Thanks for the comment!

[@alphonsenguyen7174]

I think you helped solve my stem wobbly issue. I checked all the screws and they are all tight. I even have upgraded the folding lock for the stem.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Glad to hear it! I sure hope that did get a fix for you! Thanks for watching

[@ruukusanla]

Holy cow, this scooter. Man. I'm glad I make my choice. I was unsure between mercane and zero but the 8x. So much power I can't even get it beyond 40kmph. I got some grip tape and reflective tape to enhance the visibility. The stem is still perfect after a whole days ride, wheels and suspension exactly as you describe. I already bought it prior finding your channel but I definitely had my mind at ease watching your reviews.. All in all, for all you scooter virgins. This one. Buy this one.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

ruukusanla I still feel like that after 7 months! Glad to hear about the stem too. That’s good news indeed!

[@RafaelQuizonvlog]

Perfect tips for my problem 🙏👍

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Glad I could help! An upgraded clamp was the ultimate fix for me. But this did help out for sure. Thanks for watching!!

[@patmccaffery1543]

Great little tip 👍..!!

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Thanks a lot! I ultimately ended up upgrading the clamp and that comes with a metal spacer. That worked out great as well. Thanks again!

[@karimjad7611]

EXCELLENT really perfect , thank you friend

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

karim jad thanks for watching, I appreciate you!

[@karimjad7611]

thank yu my friend , i make yr fixing Noisy is ok now no more !! really yu best theca lot . I transmet yr video FALCON PV Singapour ZERO CIE ...

[@ashdoggy31]

Good job thanks.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

ashdoggy31 indeed! Thank you for watching

[@emancia]

You legend!!

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

🙌🏼 thanks for the comment!

[@carlangeles1693]

thank you for thisssss

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

You’re welcome! Glad I could help! Thanks for watching

[@mangarang]

I think the spacer idea is sound. Nice job. Consider using a different material from plastic to prevent the wear that ultimately results in the noise coming back. Try using something more naturally compliant like rubber or leather. If it’s compliant you can also oversize its thickness ever so slightly. It will still wear due to abrasion but at a slower rate because it gives, like the rubber sole of a sneaker compared to the stiffer leather sole of a fancy dress shoe. Also as it wears the play will increase but the coefficient of friction between the metal upper surface and rubber lower surface should result in a quieter rubbing sound.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

mangarang I think you’re right. The plastic wasn’t the best choice for longevity. The challenge for me has been finding something that is the correct thickness. If I double stacked those plastic spacers I made that was too thick for the mechanism to close. So finding a thin piece of rubber would be ideal or even like you said leather. But I just can’t locate something like that yet. Thanks for the comment!

[@Blox117]

epdm sheet

[@perusha4f]

Thank you 🎉

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Glad it could help! Thanks for watching

[@vasyanvasyansky5053]

Please accept my virtual hug) !! Going to do it to my scooter right now (same problem with 10x)

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Accepted!! 😃 It’s such a racket isn’t it?? If your spacer doesn’t get the job done, upgrading your clamp will for sure. I did another video on that too. Thanks for watching (and the hug!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnSraIijatFpd80

[@ltfbwy91]

Thanks i didi something like this after your video ❤

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

So glad to hear I was able to help out! The creaking sound is so annoying when you’re riding. Stay safe out there!

[@bartsali]

Thanks for the video! I have exactly the same problem with my new Dualtron mini. the connection and folding mechanism is different, but the steering column is divided at the bottom, and top, longer part ( they call it steering tube ) is touching the metal base of the swing arm which is part of the front wheel mount in similar way to 8X. Noise was unbearable... I worked out very similar solution and used rubber from the old inner tube. It worked for the while ( maybe 10 km ) but noise came back ( not as persistent and loud as was however ). ... I thought with quality product like this, designers will think about and sort out issues like this....

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

You really would hope so wouldn’t you? But at least for the ZERO line they made an upgraded clamp to deal with it. Hopefully they make something similar for the dualtron because like you said that noise is really unbearable! Thanks for watching. Stay safe out there!

[@gipipoy]

This one works! Thankyou very much! In my end I used microwavable containers cut it with the shape of the joints then wala!

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Jaypee Sanchez glad to hear it! That’s a smart idea. 👍🏼

[@readysetterrible3278]

I just purchased a Dualtron Thunder.... same issue.... gonna try this tomorrow for sure

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

What a bummer! It seems to be anything with a folding mechanism like that is gonna have that issue. I don’t know if they make an upgraded clamp or not but that’s what I did to fix it once and for all. The spacer does a decent job tho. Thanks for watching!

[@readysetterrible3278]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 I see some after market clamps on Ali Express...but those items can take 4 week or more ..then have to go through customs

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

😩 man that is a while. Where are you located?

[@readysetterrible3278]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 NY.... Queens

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

I just ordered some new tires and hydraulic brakes from falcon PEV out of Singapore and it only took 3 days to get to California. They shipped it fedex. I was super surprised to get it so quick. They said on the site when I ordered 7-10 days, so I was excited it already got here!

[@ccccen]

Take an inner tube piece , make a donut and place like a washer, will make up for the space worn down and will not make noise:) simple thing from the 60's

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Very cool! Thanks for the tip! Appreciate you watching. Thanks again.

[@raymondayeung]

I've noticed the creaking noise either went away or dampened by quite a bit after adjusting the 2 set screws on the stem on my 10X, so I think that is where the noise is coming from.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

That is possible. For me it was definitely the clamp. I took apart the stem and all bolts there to get the chrome parts powder coated black and replaced all the silver screws with black ones as well. But for whatever reason nothing seemed to work except a spacer. I ended up upgrading the clamp all together and that did the trick. Made it feel a lot safer too. Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it!

[@raymondayeung]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 No problem! I plan to get the rugged clamp soon as well. It definitely helps!

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Sucks it doesn’t come with it. When you do get the new clamp just wait til you see how much beefier it is. I feel like that stock one I could bend with just my hands

[@PMikju]

Nice video, appreciate your work that you've put in Zero 8x guides. I currently have the same sound issue, came out from nowhere. I have the upgraded clamp, scooter is about 2 months old. The handlebar vertically shakes a bit, there's a metal washer and a rubber one under the clamp. Any ideas how to proceed? Almost all of the screws under the clamp that have anything to do with the stem were unusable from the factory so cannot really open it up.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Hey! Thanks for watching. I can’t say that with the upgraded clamp I’ve really experienced any noises worth mentioning. You did mention the handlebars.....I do remember when I had the foldable handlebars on there the screw that holds the bars comes loose relatively easy. Maybe double check that there. Other than that....I don’t really have any ideas of what that noise could be. Hope it’s something simple though because I know how annoying those noises can be. Let me know what you find out!

[@PMikju]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 Thank you for the quick reply. I'll try to play with it tonight and see what I come up with. I'll let you know if I find a solution.

[@PMikju]

Have been trying to find a solution for this. Today I took the vertical stem apart (again) and noticed this: imgur.com/a/3xx3BVB I played around this, tried to bend the stem without attaching it to the rest of the frame and the noise is still there. Does this look like it would be broken to you? Stem seems to be hollow so there shouldnt be much other place that could make this noise. At least like 85% of the screws attached to the vertical stem do not seem to do anything which is kinda weird. I tried removing the cockpit and that did not have any changes to the cracking sound. To best of my knowledge the sound does come the "fractured" part but it is very hard to tell. Scooter has been ridden only for 250km on tarmac.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

PMikju it’s so tough to say. From those pictures I sure don’t see anything that looks broken. I did have the same observation as you though with the extra bolts. It really does seem like several of the bolts are for show. 🤷🏻‍♂️ What a bummer. I wish I had some more answers for you. I do get a little creak from the deck itself. But that’s because I took it apart and put vinyl there. I think there might be a bolt or 2 that isn’t all the way tightened down. But it isn’t anything like the stem. I really hope you can figure it out. I ride most of the time with headphones in so it drowns it out but I know how irritating random noises can me. Let me know if there’s any progress.

[@PMikju]

Thanks again for the reply. I contacted the seller, let's see what they answer. Guess I'll just drive around slower so if anything happens I hopefully won't be badly injured. I'll get back to you if anything new comes up. Have a great rest of the week.

[@jackmenino9654]

Hey dude, is that a camera attached to the board? Thanks for the video.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Heyooo! I did have a GoPro mount attached to the bottom for a while. There are several screws under the deck and I just used one of those spots to hang the mount from. Worked well for the time I had it there. Thanks again!

[@ruukusanla]

Is it worth cutting out rubber or felt to dampen the issue? I've seen the after market clamps you can buy but seriously is expensive for a simple thing. I'm getting my zero 8x next week. So excited to join in on the fun

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

ruukusanla you’re gonna love it!! I did end up getting the clamp. It was a lot for what it is. But I’m really happy that I did it. I hadn’t thought of what you mentioned but the upgraded clamp works well. Thanks!

[@ruukusanla]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 I'll give it a go and report back I'm hoping it does fix it even for a short while before reapplying. I've heard the clamp is amazing, everyone says it's a must but I literally just dropped 2,500 Australian for helmet, locks and all so it's not a need straight up. Thanks for the reply though! Cheers

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

ruukusanla please do let me know! I feel you about the cost tho! I feel like the clamp should have been included. But I rode for months without it....get your headphones in and you don’t even notice the creaks.

[@ruukusanla]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 so I don't know if the 8x has been remodeled since previous batches but the latch on the stem is very sturdy, it also has no creeking (at least not out of the box) Handlebars are different. Are ergonomic already so I don't need to change them, After a few trips to work and back I'll come back with another update. Cheers brother!

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

ruukusanla I wouldn’t be surprised if they did upgrade them. For this amount of money it should be a solid build. Mine was pretty much right out of the box creaking so fingers crossed for you!

[@readysetterrible3278]

update...my new stem clamp arrives....installed it no more creaky noise. the clamp is very similar , but sits higher up where the stem meets the lower neck.... and the original goes back in its original spot...a bit of a hassle, but now its nice and quiet

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Ready Set Terrible it is a little more work folding it up and down but I’ll take that over that creak any day!

[@Nowyoukn0wit]

Make video like how to make suspension softer, reviews on wide wheels banking turn..

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

I will work on something like that real soon. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@Nowyoukn0wit]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 do you have any issues regarding turning with this beast? I meant the banking.. Its just that i think it skid at the back.. Thanks

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

wright sam john rosagaran yeah, it does take some getting used to. Since they are solid it doesn’t grip as much as air tires would. I don’t know if you’ve ever snowboarded or wakeboarded but it’s almost like that around sharp turns. You have to use your weight a lot with this when you’re going fast in order to control it. I’ve gotten really comfortable on it now so I’m starting to get a little more courage with turns and that stuff.

[@Nowyoukn0wit]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 thanks alot! Also soon.. Maybe you can show us how to upgrade z8x solid tires to pneumatic if there are any..

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

wright sam john rosagaran to my knowledge I don’t believe they have any. I will look into it though. Thanks again!

[@SebastianPappG]

Congrats for your videos. Indeed that sound is cringe and annoying. The solution will be the new clamp they sell.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Papp Sebastian Georgian thank you! Yeah that’s what I ultimately ended up doing was upgrading the clamp to a more solid one. Thanks again!

[@dennissmith6102]

So the creaking resumes just as bad after a little while or is it less noticeable but still there?

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Dennis Smith Not JUST as bad. It’s easily 50-75% better. The creaks that happen now are more on really dramatic jerks, like if I had to slam on the brakes. But even then it isn’t with every move. I think the clamp itself is pretty cheap. I haven’t really seen any alternatives to that stock clamp. But I believe an upgraded clamp WITH a spacer would be a 100% fix.

[@cebubikechronicles523]

I have a kaabo skywalker 8x and the stem creaks like that too.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Cebu EKScoot Chronicles it seems to be a common problem with these types of scooters. They make an upgraded clamp for the 8x and 10x so I ended up upgrading to that and that fixed it. Thanks for the comment!

[@cebubikechronicles523]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 maybe I'll try to ask the distributor about that type of clamp. Thanks brother. 🙂

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

No problem! Be safe out there!

[@cebubikechronicles523]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 yes, you too..

[@janedomingo5339]

Hi. Upgraded to rugged clamp, put some grease but still creaking. Its so annoying. What can i do more? Thank you in advance.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Oh wow. What a bummer that is. There is a spacer that should have come with it. That’s really what’s necessary to stop the creaking. The stem itself does help cause it’s more rugged but that spacer is needed. Hopefully it didn’t get thrown away but I’m sure you could contact the seller to see about a replacement spacer if need be. Thanks, hope that helps!

[@janedomingo5339]

The spacer is in placed. I put some grease and spray lubricant just above the rugged clamp and the creaking sound now gone. Very happy with the result.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Jane Domingo yes!!! Great to hear! That noise was such an annoyance!

[@macky10229]

Hi I hope you can help me i had a same problem but i found out the noise is coming to the silver part that where the stem and steering connected.. Do you have a guide ho to adjust it? Thank you

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

I also thought that the sound was coming from that area at first. But I actually removed that collar and it doesn’t seem possible for that to be the source of the noise. That piece is held in by 1-2 set screws but it’s also threaded, so it actually screws on to the down tube itself. What I found was the folding clamp that comes with the scooter is cheap. They make an upgraded clamp for the 8x and 10x and it 100% fixes the issue. Hope that helps! thanks for watching

[@macky10229]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 thats really strange.. i already upgrade to a rugged clamp and added a filler and grease on the bracket similar on plastic DIY..

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Did the clamp come with a metal spacer? This video here was before the clamp upgrade and so a plastic spacer was used. My clamp came with a metal spacer and I think that is what is needed to eliminate that noise

[@macky10229]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 yes it does and i even put grease on it still getting that cracking noise

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

@@macky10229 goodness. That does sound like something is wrong for sure. I took apart that whole area when I powder coated the silver parts black and didn’t see anything that could cause it. There is 1 larger screw on the bottom of the main down tube that I have seen other people adjust to resolve a similar issue. You have to turn the wheel to the side to access it. It’s recessed inside the tube a bit.

[@cretinousswine8234]

How about lubing it?

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Indeed; that would help. Ultimately what I ended up doing was purchasing an upgraded stem clamp that came with a spacer for that area. Lubed the spacer and it’s as quiet as can be now. Thanks for the comment!

[@caRpetbomBer1]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 whats this upgraded stem clamp your talking about.

[@NOTISL]

try to lubricate it with GREASE

[@basincut100]

Or just watch the tutorial by Falcon PEV on how to tighten the vertical stem on the Zero 10X (works for Z8x too) and fix the problem permanently and properly.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

In my case that was not a fix. A spacer and upgraded clamp was the fix. Thanks for the comment.

[@TheLilFid]

Or just spay some WD40 on it !!! It works... but not always too 🛴⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@elissuberts2816]

That sound is inbarasin 😂

[@Fantaman900]

try grease man!

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Fantaman900 that does seem to help as well. I’m getting an upgraded clamp soon too so between grease and the better clamp that will do it. Thanks for the comment!

[@robinbonathan]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 Is the upgraded clamp from falcon ?

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Robin Bonathan it is. I actually just got the new clamp in a few days ago and will be doing a new video on that upgrade really soon. I’m hoping with the new clamp that fixes this 100% I’ll let you know really soon tho!

[@robinbonathan]

@@ADayintheLifeofMr23 excellent.

[@ADayintheLifeofMr23]

Robin Bonathan new video with the upgraded clamp is now posted too! Thanks for watching! 😊