Motor Service
Hi, Doug--This is Nathan, I will be glad to share how to service the motor in your Tan Model G. I have worked on many of them, and it's not really that hard. Here are some step by step instructions to service your motor and replace the bearing:
The first thing you will want to do is to take the top handle off the machine. It is held on by 3 screws, one is near the rear of the machine closest to the suction end, the next 2 screws are closest to the switch. The screws are all usually phillips screws. After you remove the handle, disconnect the 2 wires on the end of the switch. Remove the switch cover, and underneath the switch cover is another screw that holds the switch assembly in place. Remove that screw, and after you remove that screw there is a flat-head screw directly underneath the switch assembly, also there is another flat-head screw under the machine. The flat screws hold on the cordwinder assembly. Now for the tricky part: The model G's have that trim that runs down the sides of the machine, very gently pry the ends of the trim that is on the cordwinder assembly. The trim has little tabs that hold it into place in the cordwinder assembly. If you can get one loose, you can usually maneuver the cordwinder assembly enough that the other one will come out. The trick is to not break the tabs off. I have had it happen, and if it does it usually isn't a big deal, but I try to not break the tabs off if at all possible. After your cordwinder assembly has been removed, you will have access to the motor unit. Before you can remove the motor unit you will need to disconnect the 2 wires that come up from the motor and screw onto the switch. They are generally held on by small flat-head brass looking screws. Loosen the screws, and push the wires down through the hole in the top of the machine. To remove the motor for service, remove 3 flat-head screws that hold the motor in place in the machine's housing. After removing the screws you can pull the motor out of the machine for service. To gain access to the bearing, you first will have to remove the fans and fan housings. The fan housings are held on by 4 long flat-head screws. Remove those, pull the top housing off, loosen the big nut that's on the top of the top fan, pull your top fan off, remove the second housing, and pull off the second fan. It's a good idea to label your fans, that way when you re-assemble the machine they will be inserted correctly. The fans have little hubs on them. Label your fans: Top, for the top fan, and Bottom, for the bottom fan. The bottom fan's hub will be in the center of the fan, facing up, and the top fan's hub will be at the bottom side of the fan. If you will label your fans you won't have any trouble with them being replaced in the correct order. To access your bearing, there are 3 screws which are underneath the rubber boot of the motor. You will need a long flat-head screwdriver to get to them. Remove the 3 screws, and you should then be able to pull the armature and bearing housing assembly out of the machine. You should be able, beings your machine is a tan G, the bearing housing should slide right off the shaft of the armature. There are 2 screws that hold the bearing covers in place. Remove the screws, and you will see the bearing. If the bearing housing slides off, you should be able to push the bearing out. If not, you will have to tap the housing off of the bearing, and use a bearing puller to pull the bearing off. While your motor is apart, clean it and the fans thoroughly with warm soapy water and an old brush, to remove as much if not all the dirt if possible. Your motor will run a lot better if it's all clean inside. Also clean the carbon brush housings with a little lime away, you want the motor brushes to move freely, that way they will make contact with the motor well. After cleaning, be sure to thoroughly dry the motor and components with a hair dryer. Re-assemble your machine, by simply reversing the steps. Check your carbon brushes and replace them if they are badly worn. With a good cleaning, and new bearings, if you will carefully follow my directions, your vacuum should run like new! Please contact me, I am always ready to help, should you need any advice or have any questions.
Sincerely,
Nathan L. Thomas