Vacuum Cleaner Bearings Question with Pics

[Vacillator]

Hi,

I posted before about the bearings in my vacuum. I now have pics
also. I almost bought a new vacuum, but thought I would give the
repair another look.

To recap, the ball bearings have actually come out of my vacuum
motor shaft. I am trying to figure out where they are supposed to
go. Also trying to figure out if I need to remove some sort of "race
and bearings" assembly on the shaft and replace the race and bearings
as a pre-assembled unit ( and where to buy it).

The ball bearings are silver and are smaller than beebees.

I have 2 pics, below. Shaft, and motor.

The round pill box shaped thing on the left of the shaft, next to
the fan, works great, spins freely, and is not the problem.

The lost bearings, I presume, are supposed to go on the right side
of the shaft somewhere. Maybe near the loose washer.

Anyone who can help, please feel free to chime in ! I can take
additional photos, if it would help.

Thanks

shaft.............
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45722991@N05/4198573450/

motor.............
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45722991@N05/4198573456/

 

[Mike Cook]

It looks like a ball bearing has self-destructed. There is no way to fix a
destroyed bearing. It must be replaced.

The round pill box shaped thing on the left of the shaft, next to
the fan, works great, spins freely, and is not the problem.

If this is the ball bearing on the left end of the shaft you're talking
about, this may be identical to the one that exploded on the right end of the
shaft.

The lost bearings, I presume, are supposed to go on the right side
of the shaft somewhere. Maybe near the loose washer.

The grooved ring just to the right of the washer looks like the inner race of
(what used to be) a ball bearing.

Look in the housing where the right end of the shaft went through. There
should be the outer race (look at the bearing on the left end of the shaft to
see what the outer race looks like). The missing (exploded) bearing on the
right may be identical to the good one on the left.

Tap out the outer race of the destroyed bearing from the housing. There is a
part number printed on this. (Look on the left bearing; if the bearings are
the same size, you can use this number to order the new bearings.)

Take the shaft and the housing (the one that the right end bearing fit into)
to a bearing distributor and see if they can get you a replacement. Should
cost less than 10 bucks. (Look in the yellow pages for bearing distributors.)

You want *sealed* type bearings. These have a neoprene-like grease seal on
both sides of the bearing that protects the balls from dust and dirt which
destroys bearings.

I'd replace the one on the left end too. That way your vacuum will last for
years.

Measure the exact location each bearing is on the shaft (measure from the end
of the shaft to the bearing). This way you will be sure of their exact
location when installing the new bearings. (Note that there may be a "step"
in the shaft where the bearing is located against. This means that
measurement of the bearing's location isn't required; when you install the
new bearing you just tap it on until it reaches this step and cannot go any
further. "Automatic" location.

Pull off the old bearing or remains of it any way you can (hammer, bearing
puller, vice grips). You're going to throw these away, so don't worry about
being gentle with them. Just don't mess up the shaft.

Tap the new bearings on using a punch, drift, chisel, or a screwdriver and a
hammer. Tap *only* on the inner race (the part that slides onto the shaft.
When installing the bearings do *not* hammer on or force the outer race in
any way. This could damage the bearing.

Good luck.

 

[Vacillator]

Hi,

Just an update on the Eureka vacuum situation. I took the
disassembled motor down to my local vacuum repair place, hoping to get
a new bearing or 2 installed, but the guy said a used motor would be
cheaper and better. I went with the used motor, especially since the
old one was sparking quite a bit, anyway. The used motor was only
$15. Not bad. Installed used motor today. Works great. I kept my
original motor for spare parts, if needed.

Thanks for all the good advice along the way.

Vacillator