Hoover Constellation Motor: Help! (Paging John Long)

[jaker15]

Hey all! I recently acquired a beautiful Hoover Constellation model 858, and I'm having a slight problem. When I went to turn it on the last time, it began to emit a sound that no collector wants to ever hear: the screech of a failed bearing. I quickly panicked and shut it off, wondering what just happened. Did a bearing really die on me? Is the motor still salvageable, or is it worth replacing? I might be able to get a new motor from a guy on eBay is I can't fix mine. Does anyone know what I should do? Please help!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I had that happen.

A friend opened it up and lubricated everything. A bearing CAn be replaced. Don't TRASH it. Connies are fantastic! Good luck.
John

 

[jaker15]

I tried

to get the fan off last night when I cleaned it up, I had no luck in removing the nut.


 


You wouldn't happen to have a hose for one, would you?

 

[gottahaveahoove]

no, sadly

i don't.

 

[DesertTortoise]

Says something about the quality of a vacuum when it outlasts the motor. From the ones I have seen it usually the other way around, the vacuum is hammered but the motor is still fine. I would never toss a vacuum out over a motor problem. Most electric motors can be rebuilt. Sometimes even "non-rebuildable" ones with a little ingenuity.

Keep us posted on how it turns out.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

That Connie motor

is the same one used in the HOOVER Portable washer. That might help.

 

[kenkart]

EASIEST!

Motor to fix ever! With a little coaching im sure you can do it...as the commutator end bearing is a sleeve, it really probably is not your problem, the fan end bearing is a ball bearing, easy to remove, wash out in some gas or kerosene, blow dry and pack with grease..to get the fan off...take the fan housing off...4 screws, then using a cloth to protect your hands, hold the fan while using a socket set or wrench to remove the fan..there are 2 fans...

 

[sptyks]

Does the Connie fan have rerverse threads like on a Kirby?


 


Just askin.


 


Stan

 

[jaker15]

I might

get lazy and take it into the vac shop to see what Paul can do. I don't want to risk damaging anything, the nut is stuck.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

The Hoover Service manual on Ephemera gives detailed instructions on how to service a Constellation motor.

If you take all of the screws in the fan housing out and remove the carbon brushes, the armature will come out with the fans attached. You can then hold the armature in your hand while you loosen the nut.

http://www.automatice.org/cgi-bin/index.cgi?showdoc~410~Hoover~VU

 

[jaker15]

That method sounds like it would work, but it all comes down to my little debate with myself of whether or not I really want to get into fully disassembling the motor. I might tear into it, or see if I can't take it to the shop. I think I'll motivate myself eventually.... 

 


I would love to get that manual!

 

[kenkart]

Thanks Fred!

Its been so long since I worked on one, I forgot that!!

 

[jaker15]

Welp, looks like I gotta add the Connie to my list of projects! 

 Haha! I know where to go if I need help with anything! Thanks so much, guys, I'll keep you posted once the servicing begins!