Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2017 9:36:42 GMT -8
Here's the deal, as accurately as I can... given how old it is:
I bought a Hoover Upright back in 1993 and nothing short of an ancient Eureka Canister Vacuum my mother had has ever cleaned like it.
It was serviced once about 14 years ago when it got loud then started smoking.
2/3 the cost later (it was $99. on closeout at the time) it came back vibrant and I haven't had a single problem since ...until now.
I know...ditch it, it's old, part availability may be scarce...My reply...They just don't make em like they used to!
(I said that about the Eureka when I bought this one but I was pleasantly surprised.)
I just replaced a broken belt and noticed it could use a new agitator brush roll with bearings, so I ordered them.
I decided to give it a real good cleaning while I'm waiting for those parts, and noted that the fan pulley did not turn easily when I tried it manually.
Short story, I took off the seals and dumped a bunch (probably the whole 14 yrs worth) of dust and small debris out of the fan motor.
Mind you, I'm no mechanic...just someone who refuses to be defeated by something that I had to assemble to begin with when I first got it, lol.
After this endeavor, I replaced the seals, and the fan rotates now manually with ease.
However in sweeping up the debris (vacuum still in sections all over the floor)
I discovered several small ball bearings in the dust.
Since the pulley turned with ease, I decided to reassemble it enough to plug it in and see if it worked.
It does, but I am now wondering where the hell the bearings came from.
Is it possible that the agitator brush bearings got sucked up into the fan motor?
I looked online for a breakdown of the fan motor and found one, but it shows no parts that would use bearings.
Aren't bearings common in every motor?
This is my question if anyone knows.
And if they are, will running the vacuum without bearings in the fan motor be just noisy, or damage the unit?
Inquiring minds want to know
I really love this vacuum and if I have to, I'll pursue another motor,
but if I don't have to...Well, even better yet
Thanks in advance from a crazy do-it-yourselfer!