A couple of questions.....

[em-tor64]

Hi All-

Doing some work on a Eureka model #1416.....

Does the top sleeve bearing on the motor get OIL?
sae 10, 20 or other.....

Also having some trouble getting the fan off....
Is the pulley reverse threaded like Kirby? Doesn't seem to want to turn either way...

Thanks for any and all help.....

Michael

 

[louvac]

DO NOT OIL THE SLEEVE BEARING!!!

I have been told this is a no-no. Anyone else?

Louis

 

[em-tor64]

Hi Lou-

I thought I had heard not to oil them on Hoovers...such as the 28, etc....

But wasn't sure about Eureka....

It is sqeaking...or sqealing....for lack of a better term.....

Is it just suppposed to be cleaned?

I am used to working on ball bearings....so not sure with these sleeve types.

 

[louvac]

Mike,

If you really think it is the sleeve bearing, which, can "go", then I would suggest to replace it with a new one. My understanding of why you don't want to oil a sleeve bearing is that the oil will heat to a very high temperature and thus would cause distortion to the bearing. These bearings are inexpensive to replace.

Also, check to be sure the fan is not causing the sqeaking. Eurekas can be funny. I do know that there is more than one style fan. One type has a higher blade and another type has a lower blade. The higher blade sometimes may clear the fan chamber depending on how many washers may have been used. I had encoutered this situation several years ago when I had started to repair machines. With Eurekas, it's very important to have and know the model number when ordering parts.

Louis

 

[em-tor64]

Thanks Lou-
I am positive it's not the fan....I have the motor off of the base and it is still doing the same thing.....It's not a constant squeal, it's intermittent and when it is turned off and slowing down.
When I get the fan off....Is it reverse threaded?
I'm afraid to turn too hard either way until I know which way for sure....but once I get it off I can grease the bottom ball bearing or replace it ( I have one of those) to rule out any noise coming from there.

I know there was thread a while ago pertaining mostly to Hoovers, about these sleeve bearings and how to clean them, what to clean them with, etc..... I have searched the archives and can't find it.....So I will keep looking....Thanks again for the advice...it is much appreciated.

Michael

 

[louvac]

Mike,

Glad I could help! The fan may be a reverse-thread but the way to remember is, it tightens in the same direction that it spins to produce suction. Hand tight is really all you need. I usually hand tighten and then use a wrench or plier just to give it a TAD more-that's it.

 

[normvac]

Eureka Fan

Mike
I has been 20 years since I replaced a fan on a 1400 series
Eureka (used to do 6/8 a week when I had my shop). First the
fan replacement would be a 1400 series fan with the shorter
fins. If I remember correctly it is a reverse turn. Like Lou
said, opposite of the direction that the fan circulated to create the air flow. I remember using a pair of pliers to hold the broken fan by one of the fins. While using a pair
of vise grips on the nut part of the belt pulley. Soak it with some kind of penitrating spray or oil. Help it loosen.
Then give it a big push.
Your correct in thinking that it could the top sleeve bearing
and/or the bottom ball bearing. I used to drill out the ball bearing and reinstall the new bearing. Then I just ordered the
whole bearing plate for the bottom. Reinstall the armature and then a new top sleeve bearing. It's all very easy and well worth less effert for better and long lasting results.
The trouble was doing it for a customer the labor and parts would be 25/35 dallors in the 80's and the machines sold for
as low as 39/49 dollars when new.
What model do you have? If you need parts I may be able to get them for you here in Columbus and send them to you!
Let me know !
Norm

 

[normvac]

P.S. Mike
Be sure to ck the armatur and the carbons brush to see if they are getting short and close to wearing down to the springs, As the armature runs HOT and burns them down fairly
quickly. IF they are over an 1 inch long you'll be ok, as long as your NOT running it hours at a time!
Norm

 

[em-tor64]

Thanks for all of the info Norm.....I keep forgetting you used to have a vac shop...

I still having problems getting the fan off.... the whole shaft turns even with the fan held tight so i am not able to loosen the pulley that way....I am going to work more on that tonight...the only other way would be to wrap the end of the shaft that fits into the sleeve bearing with something and then tighten the vice grips onto that.

I am still confused about these sleeve bearings though....you are not supposed to lubricate them....but weren't they lubricated with something when they were new from the factory?
If they were what was used?
I would like to try to clean it first....this one looks dirty... what would you clean it with?

And Norm thanks for the offer on the parts....I will check with the two vac shops that are left here in my area first and see what they have.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Sleeve Bearings...

Are usually "Lubricated for the life of the motor".

There's some sort of grease or oil packed into them at the factory, and that's usually sufficient. Usually when I'm working on a Hoover, I'll put ONE drop of ZoomSpout oil into a sleeve bearing... just to refresh it a bit. I don't think a drop of oil or two is going to be harmful one way or the other. It may buy you some time. But usually when those bearings go, it's because they've heated up and gotten so hot... and physically changed shape (something you usually can't see).

Hope that helps.

~Fred

 

[em-tor64]

Yes Fred, Thank you very much....

Didn't mean to run the subject into the ground, but inquiring minds need to know...

Amazing how little info is available online regarding vacuum motor repair/servicing.....

AT least it might buy me some time until I can get a new bearing....Yay

 

[truckerx]

Mike... re: top bearing lubrication

...check out this video on UTube. Hope it helps.

--Bernie

 

[em-tor64]

Hi Bernie-

Thanks for the link....VERY helpful.....I just watched it from the link on your Convertible Thread over in Vintage Vacs....But thanks for posting it here too.

And thank you Eric (ttuee2006)
for making and posting this very helpful and very informative video!

 

[truckerx]

Thank you Eric...

You are a gentleman and a scholar. Your link was VERY helpful. Tried to email you to thank you personally, but could not find your name or email address on this site to respond. It seems to have disappeared. Hope you get this.