Bissell PHE Lift-Off Brushroll Questions

[niclonnic]

Yesterday, I figured out how to dismantle the brush roll on my Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lift-Off vacuum, which isn't turning smoothly. I popped off the end caps using a small, flathead screwdriver, and there was quite a bit of hair wrapped around the inner axles.

After removing the hair, I was able to pop the axle caps off the ends of the brush roll. From that point, I could slide the main axle out of the brush roll, where I found the culprit: one of the bearings isn't turning smoothly!

Now I'm going to need to lubricate this bad bearing. I've got WD-40 as well as 3-in-1 Motor Oil on hand; will either of those do the job?

Also, are any of the brush roll parts washable? Because the inside of the brush roll is coated in dust.

 

[huskyvacs]

Looks like the hair acted as a rag and stripped all the oil and grease from the bearings. No WD-40. Never use it for beating or motor lubrication. It's not a lubricant, it will attack plastic, lacquer (insulation on magnet wire in a motor), etc. It's really just for cleaning water off of things, and happens to work as a weak penetrating lubricant for loosening stuck screws, rusty tools and other miscellaneous things.

 

[electroluxxxx]

Pack it with #2 grease and call it a day. Never oil ball bearings, as that will destroy ball bearings, oil is used for brass sleeve bearings.

 

[niclonnic]

Electroluxxxx

Where can I find #2 grease that is reasonably priced? I've never worked with grease before.

 

[electroluxxxx]

Harbor freight, comes in a blue tube, Golden in color, it’s what I have used for a long time and it works really well.

 

[niclonnic]

Application

Yesterday, I found some #2 white lithium grease and brake cleaner at my local Fred Meyer, and today, I went to work.

I sprayed brake cleaner onto the axle, and lots of gunk came out of it. Once it was as clean as possible, I applied grease liberally onto the bearing, and now it turns smoothly.

As for washing the other parts, I answered my own question, simply by soaking everything in my bathtub filled with hot, soapy water. I'll reassemble the brush roll once everything is dry, and then test the vacuum.