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[Steven]

I sub-contract part time for a builder.  I own 3 of these drills.  I bought them all new (as a bare tool).  When in 2nd gear, pointing chuck straight up (as in drilling on ceiling), in drill mode, while going slow, they all make an annoying clicking noise.  The chuck speed sometimes changes with the clicking.  The noise can get louder as the drill is being turned up-side-down.  I dont know if it is a gear rubbing against something or what.  I dont know if this problem would shorten the life of the tool or not.  So thinking there is a defect in this model or maybe a recall was done on them, I took them to a DeWalt Factory Service center in Lenexa KS.  They tested all 3 and said "this is normal for a hammerdrill".  I told them I was not in hammerdrill mode, and they still insist this is normal.  That is all they said.  Anyone else have this issue?  Can anyone explain to me why this happens?

I would like to add, other then this little issue I would HIGHLY recommend this drill to everyone.  Excellent torque, speed, weight, cool LED light, and good side handle.  It does not come with a depth rod. 

[DEWALTDUDE]

The transmission will click really loud once the brake engages, but only in second gear. Is that what you mean?

[Steven]

No, its not during the stopping of the chuck.  Its when the chuck is turning very very slow in 2nd gear with the chuck pointed up or the drill slightly pointed slightly up-side-down (with battery bottom facing up).  I know, its a weird position to have a drill in, but when your working construction you tend to be in weird positions at times & to get into tight spots.  I have 3 because I tend to switch back and forth between different bits a lot and I sometimes only have one hand available, just enough to grab another drill.  Also, if all you have is 1 drill, then it breaks or you loose it, your out of work until you take time to buy another one.  Anyways, its a consistant clicking while the chuck is turning.  Its not the sound of the hammerdrill mode or the clutch, its a louder clicking sound.  Could be a clicking sound of the chuck brake rubbing?  Its not the sound of hammerdrill mode.  All 3 do it, and all 3 were bran-new.  Took it to that Dewalt Service Center I talked about earlier.  They said it was a "normal" sound. The Service center guy said that if I wanted to give them all 3 drills they can take them apart for free (since its under warranty).  I told them I didnt want to be charged for labor if they dont find anything wrong.  They said its all covered under warranty no matter what.  So I just gave them 1 drill (since I could not be without any for my job) for a week.  Then I went back, the tech had taken it apart and said nothing is wrong, its "...normal for a hammerdrill to make that sound even when its not in hammerdrill mode...".  It still makes that noise.   It still seems weird to me.  Other then that, the drills work fine.  Its just annoying to spend a lot of $$$ and for it to do weird stuff like that.

Also, while I was at the Dewalt Service center, I had them order me 3 Depth Rods for these drills.  They were $1.50/each and the part # is: 580787-00

[matchit]

I have the drill too. Its fantastic.

I did exactly what you explained and my drill does the same thing. It sounds like it could possible be the shifting ring!
I don't think it will effect the drills performance or gears. It just may be due to gravity.

[paine]

I was on here reading the review on the DCD950 (I guess the 970 is the same thing as the 950) and I bought it. I just took it out of the box 20 min ago and I also noticed the sound, the loud click when the battery is faced up! I first thought sweet, just my luck I get a f-ed up new drill but now that I see more of them doing it on here maybe its normal. It only does it in 2nd gear which leads me to believe its in the transmission.  I took a video to show the sound!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/zOnOk9jsIFQ&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/zOnOk9jsIFQ&amp;ap=%2526fmt%3D18&amp;rel=0</a>

[Steven]

THATS THE NOISE!!!  According to the guy at my local Dewalt Service Center, the DCD950/DCD970 is the exact same drill except for the batteries they come with and the clutch ring style/color.  Thanks for the video.

[paine]

So this is all normal, and there is nothing to fix it? I sent an email into Dewalt with the same video for the sound example, but from your experience it looks like they aren't going to do anything about it.  It just doesn't sound normal, it sounds like the drill is going to explode.

[Potstickr]

Did their past hammerdrills exhibit this odd behavior, too?

[DEWALTDUDE]

this is a new transmission.

[Jopopsy]

This does NOT happen on my DCD960.  I put the drill in 2nd gear, hit the mode selector to drill, turned it upside down so that the battery points up towards the ceiling, and varied the speed.  No click.  Set the mode selector to screw, still no click.

[Potstickr]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Japopsy.  Can anyone share their experience with the previous hammerdrill model under the same usage conditions?

[DEWALTDUDE]

No drill prior to XRP 5 had this anomaly. It goes hand and hand with the new transmission. XRP 5 is something entirely new. I don't seem to have the problem your having either. I'm wondering if it was a odd batch? Look at the manufacturing date where the battery locks into the drill. 20** **- ** (2009 32-49) You and PAINE should compare dates and see if they are similar?

[Jopopsy]

How do you interpret the date stamp?

[DEWALTDUDE]

First 4 digits are the year, next two digits are the week, last two digits are the plant code.

2009 32-45 would be = Tool was manufactured in plant 45 on the 32nd week of 2009.

[numprikpow]

I recently got a dcd760kl and it clicked only in 2nd gear (this model only has two speeds). I returned it to HD and picked up another and it did the exact same thing. After using it for about 5 battery's worth of charges, it got alot better. Now the reverse in 2nd is alot louder than forward. I'm pretty sure it's the actual selector switch rubbing against whatever's spinning inside. Someone at the factory allowed some extra flashing on the plastic tabs before installation. Could have just trimmed it, but they don't think it's worth it.

This is the third made in Mexico tool I've purchased from Dewalt/PorterCable  (NEW) and they've all been plagued with stupid quality control issues. My new sander had to be replaced because of a broken belt and my router's chuck is too tight. However, my made in China Delta table saw has been great and so has my little B&D jigsaw. I'll never buy made in Mexico from this company again.