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How to Repair a Noisy Sealed Electric Motor Bearing

Many manufacturing facilities use multiple machines for creating a product. In fact, some of these machines are powered with electric motors for producing a moving mechanism in manufacturing processes. Within the electric motor are bearings which allow the magnetic internal design to spin, generating electricity for the entire motor. Sealed electric motor bearings are used for manufacturing applications with high volumes of contaminants, such as thick dust. However, these sealed bearings can develop a noisy nature over time.

Things You'll Need

Phillips screwdriver
Flathead screwdriver
Allen-head screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the multiple screws of the electric motor's outside cover with a screwdriver. Make sure that the electric motor is unplugged during dismantlement.
- 2
  Locate the noisy bearing visually, normally near one end of the motor.
- 3
  Remove the bearing. Some motor designs use Allen-head or simple screwdriver screws for securing the bearing to the motor. Carefully pull the bearing away from the motor, preventing accidental damage to surrounding wiring.
- 4
  Replace the bearing with a similar sealed design, securing it to the motor with the same screws. Sealed bearings cannot be repaired. They are hermetically sealed during manufacturing, ensuring that contaminants cannot infiltrate the interior area. However, the bearing becomes noisy over time when the internal lubrication fails. Replacement is the only option for these sealed bearing designs.
- 5
  Reattach the motor's outside housing with the same screws. Plug the motor into power and turn the device on. Listen for any noise emanating from the unit. A quality replacement procedure will result in quiet motor operation.

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