Carbon brushes for Eureka 667 (K-Mart label Sweet 16)

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sehrgut

Member
Joined
May 22, 2021
Messages
6
Location
USA
I've got a Eureka 667, which appears to be substantially a Sweet 16, and which another member informed me was a K-Mart exclusive model number.

One of the brushes is sparking and squealing badly, usually about 30 seconds after powering on. I've disassembled the machine entirely and cleaned it (except for disassembling the motor itself), thinking that perhaps there was grit in the lower half that was getting kicked up into the motor and causing the issue.

Is still occurring, and if I look inside while it's sparking (while QUICKLY turning it back off!) it's evident that the shower of sparks are coming from one brush.

I'm unable to find replacement brushes, since I don't know the specifications, and this machine isn't listed in any of the compatibility lists on parts vendor sites.

Can anyone help me locate the correct replacement brushes?

sehrgut-2021053114530902335_1.jpg

sehrgut-2021053114530902335_2.jpg
 
Look

At the stamping on the motor. You can pull the carbon brushes out and measure depth and width.
I'm guessing but a hoover, eureka uprights with similar powered motors use the same brushes. Don't quote me but it's likely the case.
 
Remove the brush holders and ensure the brushes slide easily in their holders. Clean them with alcohol. Make sure they are not too worn down, and that they do not have any weird grooves or damage to their sides (the surfaces that ride on the brush holders). The commutator will need to be cleaned, there's too much carbon deposited on it. And the grooves between each contact need to be cleaned out as well, a box knife is good for that.

If replacement brushes are needed, don't bother trying to find a part number. Just measure them and order by size and type. McMaster.com is a good place to window shop for brushes. They're a little expensive. Ebay is good. You'll also need to determine whether they are metric or standard. I'm betting metric. Remember measurements are nominal. For example, if it measures 5.8mm, it's 6mm nominal. If it measures 6.75mm, it's not metric, it's 1/4". The length measurement doesn't matter a whole lot, because they wear down, and obviously yours will be much shorter than new ones.
 
Thank you all! I got the brushes out and they actually DO seem quite long still, with only minor chipping along the edges.

And yes, no burn marks because I stopped it as soon as sparks started flying! 😁

Knowing to clean the commutator helps! I'll do that and report back!

What would the signs of a bearing issue be? I'm wondering if after 30 seconds of running, something in the bearing gets stuck, throwing the shaft out of alignment and that maybe is what's causing the brush to spark so much? It's a very abrupt change as soon as the squeal starts.
 
Xude

Your motor housing needs blow out and cleaned. Clean the motor make it shiny. Once you do that first. Your trying to fix a problem you don't have.
 
You have the motor out. With the brushes removed, spin the armature with your hand. There should be no resistance or roughness. If it does anything but spin freely, suspect bearings.
 

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