How to oil bearings of a FH52000 Hoover steamer/carpet cleaner/shampooer?

[jason.arthur.taylor]

FH52000 Hoover:



I can tell the bearings need oiling or replacement because of the sound it makes. I will post a youtube video of the sound on spin down, if I have time.

The motor isn't that easy to access. You have to remove the clear plastic nozzle, then a bunch of screws. To reassemble requires a little delicate patience and attention to detail.

Has anyone ever oiled bearings on ac motor of a vacuum? Many units have small DC motors for pumping or brush agitation. That's not what I am asking about.

 

[vacerator]

It doesn't have ball bearings, only sleeves. You can try some sewing machine oil. or penetrating oil spray. I have a mitre saw that does it too. It is still running after having the noise for years.

 

[Hatsuwr]

That's surprising that a main motor of that format wouldn't use ball bearings.

If they are just sleeves, I usually go with 3-In-One motor oil (not their multipurpose oil), unless there's a good reason not to. It's a little more viscous than typical sewing machine oils.

If they are ball bearings, you are usually better off just replacing them with new high quality bearings (shielded or sealed depending on how dirty the environment is and how much pressure differential there is across the bearings).

 

[huskyvacs]

It is very likely the parts are just rusty and not out of oil. This shampooer is too new to have all its oil burned up already. After I use my shampooer I always turn it on its back and put a fan on the brushroll area. Call it OCD, but I never had a problem with squeaks and stuck parts.

The only grease that should be used on a vacuum is Mobil Polyrex EM. For oil applications, any SAE30 nondetergent oil, it should have a picture of an electric motor on the label.

For plastic on plastic moving parts, EcoLube or powered graphite (tube powder or dry spray). Depending on application area do not use a wet or tacky lube on areas exposed to dirt and debris.

You do not use sewing machine oil or 3 in 1 oil or any other kind of thin cheap oil on vacuum cleaner bearings or high RPM motor applications because it is not heavy or viscous enough and it will just get flung away from the bearing and do absolutely nothing but ruin it. It is not made for that purpose. 20 weight is not thick enough to not get flung out of the bearing or break down at the high RPM of a vacuum motor.

Be very careful accessing the motor on these vacuums. They are not designed to be repaired and the parts are very fiddly or deliberately made to break permanently if tampered with.