Is the thick felt around the vacuum motor necessary?

[leroy]

I recently did some internal work in our variable speed Miele canister vacuum and I forgot to replace the internal think felt pad which was laying on the top half of the motor. I don't think it has any structural purpose, and may be some sort of (unchangeable?) filter. But if fit so irregularly and gave the impression that it really didn't do much. The machine sounds fine. Maybe it is to muffle the sound? One video did refer to it as a 'filter'. It was full of dust, but that may be because of dust getting through the motor over time. I'd rather not open up the machine again if I don't have to. Any advice on it's function, or whether it needs need to be there? Thanks.

 

[madman]

Usually a motor might be wrapped in felt to isolate it (in terms of sound and vibration) from the housing it's in. It's probably just to dampen vibrations and noise.

 

[leroy]

Thank you.

 

[fan-of-fans]

It makes the vacuum quieter. The dust is probably carbon dust from operation of the motor brushes. I'd just give it a washing until water runs clear, let dry and reinstall.

 

[broomvac]

What you have found is the sound insulation which Miele puts inside just about all of their vacuums. There is no need to remove it.

 

[leroy]

Excellent, thank you.

 

[gregvacs28]

agreed

On the sound insulation bit.

Also may be to cushion the motor so it doesn't move around inside the body.

And, as was said, to collect carbon dust. You don't want to miss out on having that filtered.

I know that thought though, when encountering this black, dingy looking thing inside. We just want it gone. But, the cost conscious manufacturers wouldn't put in extra parts just for fun.

 

[huskyvacs]

You shouldn't be removing parts from a vacuum anyway. It's there for a reason. You wouldn't remove the engine filter from your car or the airbags from your car would you?

 

[vacuumdevil]

@leroy If you're talking about the green mixed fiber pads yes that is sound deadening. I would highly recommend you put it back in or order the replacement.
It makes a difference in terms of overall decibel and toned coming out of the vacuum.

Shown at 7:10 on Video for reference

 

[leroy]

Yes, that's it: sound dampening, although my machine is a bit different in that the motor isn't in a shroud. I didn't take it out on purpose, but by accident. From what can now gather, strictly speaking, without it the machine will be louder, but otherwise work fine?

 

[hoover300]

My Air Way 55 had that. It made it quieter and absorbed some vibration. I would have kept it in, but it literally crumbled away when I replaced the cord.
~K

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Leroy

Kirby also used foam in their motor assemblies from models 516 to the Classic Omega.

~Ben

 

[madman]

Yeah, it's not strictly necessary. The machine'll just be a bit louder/ more vibratey. Maybe just replace it the next time you have the machine apart.