Introduction
A grinding or clicking noise coming from your kids' electric ride on car can be alarming — but in most cases it's a fixable mechanical issue rather than a sign the car is beyond repair. This guide explains every common cause of unusual noises in kids' ride on cars, how to identify which part is responsible, and what to do about it.
Working through this systematically will save you time and money, and in many cases you'll be able to fix the problem yourself at home.
Understanding the Types of Noise
The type of noise gives you an important clue about where to look:
- Grinding — usually indicates friction between two surfaces that shouldn't be touching, such as a worn gear, debris in the wheel, or a failing motor
- Clicking — often points to something intermittent, such as a loose component, a stone caught in the wheel, or a gear skipping
- Whirring or humming — typically motor or gearbox related, especially if it changes with speed
- Clunking — usually a loose mechanical connection, such as a wheel that isn't fully secured
Note when the noise occurs — is it constant, or only when turning, accelerating, or going over bumps? This will help narrow down the cause.
Common Causes of Grinding and Clicking Noises
1. Debris Caught in the Wheel or Axle
This is the most common and easiest-to-fix cause. Small stones, twigs, grass, or dirt can become lodged between the tyre and the body of the car, or wrapped around the axle.
How to check: Lift each wheel off the ground and spin it by hand. Listen and feel for resistance or a rhythmic clicking. Visually inspect around the tyre, wheel arch, and axle.
Fix: Remove the debris by hand or with a pair of pliers. Clean around the axle with a dry cloth.
2. Loose or Damaged Wheel
If a wheel is not fully secured to the axle, it can wobble and create a clicking or clunking sound, particularly when turning or going over uneven ground.
How to check: With the car stationary, grip each wheel and try to wobble it side to side. There should be minimal play. Also check that the wheel retaining clip or nut is present and tight.
Fix: Tighten the retaining nut or replace the retaining clip. If the axle itself is bent or worn, the wheel assembly may need replacing.
3. Worn or Stripped Gearbox
The gearbox transfers power from the motor to the wheels. Over time — especially with heavy use, overloading, or running the car on rough terrain — the plastic gears inside the gearbox can wear down or strip.
How to check: A worn gearbox typically produces a grinding noise that is present whenever the car is moving under power, and may be accompanied by reduced speed or the car struggling to move. The noise often changes pitch with speed.
Fix: Gearboxes on kids' ride on cars are usually replaceable units. You'll need to identify the correct gearbox for your model. Browse our spare parts collection for compatible gearboxes.
4. Failing or Worn Motor
Electric motors can develop faults over time, particularly if the car has been used in wet conditions, overloaded, or run with a deeply discharged battery (which causes the motor to draw excessive current).
How to check: A failing motor often produces a grinding or high-pitched whining noise. The car may also feel sluggish or pull to one side if only one motor is affected (many ride on cars have two motors, one per rear wheel).
Fix: Motors can be replaced individually. Check our spare parts range for replacement motors compatible with your model.
5. Tyre Rubbing Against the Body
If the car has been in a collision, dropped, or if a wheel has been incorrectly refitted, the tyre may be rubbing against the plastic body of the car. This creates a consistent grinding or scraping noise that is most noticeable when turning.
How to check: Turn the steering to full lock in both directions and listen for scraping. Visually inspect the gap between the tyre and the wheel arch on all four corners.
Fix: Check that the wheel is correctly seated and the retaining hardware is properly tightened. If the body panel is warped or cracked, it may need to be repositioned or replaced.
6. Loose Body Panels or Screws
Kids' ride on cars are assembled with multiple screws and clips. Over time, vibration from use can cause these to loosen, resulting in rattling or clicking noises that can be mistaken for mechanical faults.
How to check: With the car switched off, press firmly on different body panels — the bonnet, seat, footwell, and side panels — and listen for creaking or movement. Check visible screws for tightness.
Fix: Tighten any loose screws with the appropriate screwdriver. If a clip has broken, it can usually be replaced or secured with a small cable tie as a temporary fix.
7. Low or Failing Battery
A battery that is low on charge or beginning to fail can cause the motors to behave erratically, sometimes producing unusual noises as they struggle to draw sufficient power.
How to check: Fully charge the battery and test again. If the noise disappears after charging, the battery was likely the cause. If the noise returns quickly or the battery drains unusually fast, the battery may need replacing.
Fix: Replace the battery with a compatible unit. See our ride on car battery collection for options.
Step-by-Step Diagnosis Guide
Follow these steps in order to identify the source of the noise efficiently:
- Listen carefully — note whether the noise is constant or intermittent, and whether it changes with speed, steering, or terrain
- Check for debris — inspect all four wheels and axles for trapped stones, grass, or dirt
- Check wheel security — wobble each wheel to check for play; inspect retaining clips and nuts
- Check body panels — press on panels and listen for rattles; check all visible screws
- Charge the battery fully — test again after a full charge to rule out a low battery
- Test the gearbox and motor — if the noise persists under power and is accompanied by sluggishness, suspect the gearbox or motor
When to Replace Parts
- Debris or loose screws — fix yourself at no cost
- Loose or damaged wheel — replace the retaining hardware or wheel assembly
- Worn gearbox — replace the gearbox unit; this is a common repair and parts are widely available
- Failing motor — replace the affected motor; on dual-motor cars, replace both at the same time for balanced performance
- Failing battery — replace with a compatible battery; see our battery range
You can find a wide range of compatible replacement parts in our spare parts for ride on cars collection.
How to Prevent Noises Developing
- Use the car on appropriate surfaces — smooth paths and driveways are ideal; rough terrain accelerates wear on gears and motors
- Don't exceed the weight limit — overloading puts excessive strain on the gearbox and motors
- Keep the car clean — rinse off mud and debris after outdoor use, particularly around the wheels and axles
- Check screws periodically — a quick check every few weeks of use will catch loose fixings before they cause problems
- Maintain the battery — a healthy battery protects the motors from excessive current draw
- Store indoors — prolonged exposure to rain and damp accelerates corrosion in motors and electrical connections
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a clicking noise dangerous?
In most cases, no — a clicking noise is usually caused by debris or a loose component rather than a safety-critical fault. However, you should investigate and resolve it promptly to prevent further wear.
My car grinds only when turning — what does that mean?
Grinding only on turns typically points to a tyre rubbing against the body, a loose wheel, or debris caught near the front axle. Check the wheel arches and front wheels first.
Can I use WD-40 or grease on the gearbox?
Avoid WD-40 on plastic gears as it can degrade plastic over time. A small amount of white lithium grease or silicone grease on the gear teeth is appropriate if the gearbox is accessible. However, if the gears are visibly worn or stripped, lubrication won't fix the problem — the gearbox will need replacing.
My car is slow and making a grinding noise — is it the motor or gearbox?
Both can cause this combination of symptoms. Start by checking the battery charge level. If the battery is fine, the gearbox is the more likely culprit as it fails more commonly than the motor. If replacing the gearbox doesn't resolve it, the motor may also need attention.
Where can I get spare parts for my kids' ride on car?
We stock a comprehensive range of spare parts for kids' ride on cars, including gearboxes, motors, wheels, and more.
Summary
A grinding or clicking noise from a kids' ride on car is almost always diagnosable and fixable. Start with the simplest causes — debris and loose screws — before moving on to mechanical components like the gearbox and motor. Most repairs can be carried out at home with basic tools and readily available spare parts.
For replacement parts, visit our spare parts collection, or if the battery is involved, browse our ride on car batteries.
