I have a Bob Lee takedown with 50 pound recurve limbs on it and the bottom limb makes a sharp snapping or crackling sound. This does not happen every time I draw it but I do hear it quite often especially when flexing the limbs to string it. I always use a stringer but I did get these limbs used so I do not know there history. Anybody have any ideas what it could be? I do not see any visible damage or feel any cracks. Thanks..Henry
I don't know but I would wax or add felt to the limb pads. Hopefully that will fix the problem.
Try wax on the limb bolts too.
Is there a gap between the bottom limb and the limb pocket? Maybe the bottom limb isn't fitting properly or maybe the bolt has backed off a little allowing a little extra room for play. Just a thought.
Hope you don't have the problem I had.
Had a bearcat takedown (magnesium riser) Bow shot great but was noisy, I put some moleskin on the riser where the limbs slid in.
After about 3 years of shooting the bow this way, and the skin eliminating all excess noise, I started hearing a slight snapping noise every time I strung the bow. Eventually the upper limb collapsed, right at the top of the riser. Bear claimed it was due to the moleskin,(I doubt it). They wouldn't replace the top limb. I absolutely loved this bow and was devastated,(I could hit 2" circles consistently out to 40 yards with this bow).
Well, I moved on to shooting a bunch of different bows, but about a year ago I bought 2 sets of limbs for the bearcat from Craig/Fl. Bought them to pass the bow on to my Grandson, then found out I can still drive tacks with this bow. It was really hard but I finally conceded the bow to my future bowhunter. Hope he appreciates this little gem as much as I did!
Thanks for all the advice guy's I am going to try the felt on the limb pads. There is no gap that I can see and the first thing I checked was the bolts and they are tight. The noise seems to be coming from farther up the limb though than down where it bolts on, just above the Lee logo and limb specs.
Ok I tried the felt on the limb pads and that seemed to make it worse. As I was stringing it the crackling and snapping noise moved up the limb starting at the logo and traveling up to the curve in the limbs. I removed the felt and restrung it and the noise was there again and seems to be getting worse. Now I am afraid to shoot this bow and I am wondering what to do?
Call them at their shop and ask what they think. Be honest and give as much info as you can. They will probably want you to ship it back to em unless there is another simple fix they can suggest. If you gotta send it off do it, cause i would be afraid to draw and shoot it too.
Bob Lee and company are noted for there terrific service. I am sure they will have a solution to your problem.