Sanitaire Bearing replacement?

[dustin]

I recently picked up a Sanitaire SC899 (16") at a garage sale for $5 in "somewhat" working condition (Had a broken fan, needed brush strips, belt, light bulb and a complete cleaning) I got all the broken, worn parts replaced and I've used it a bit, but it has some horrendous bearing noise on startup and after running for a few minutes. How would I go about replacing the motor bearings, and do I need any special tools? It has the older style 6.7 amp motor. If I'm sucessful with this one, we have an SC886 at our church that sounds just as bad, but has been going like that for 3 years. Last time I heard it run it could be heard outside the building. Thanks for any info!

 

[3rdgenvacguy]

Sanitaire bearings

The lower bearing (fan end) is likely the one causing the noise. You would remove the belt pulley and fan. Remove the two carbon brush screws to disconnect the lead wires. There are two nuts on the top with lockwashers under them. Once they are taken off the motor top will separate from the lower housing. The armature is a slip fit into the lower bearing, but sometimes gets stuck. Grab the lower housing on each side and hit the fan end of the armature on a piece of wood and the two housings should come apart. The lower bearing is held in by three rivets. Electrolux does not offer the bearing, rivets or even the complete lower housing any longer. The perfect vacuum clone of a Sanitaire, does offer the lower housing with the bearing already installed. When putting the motor back together snug the two nuts, then go another half to three quarter turn. Do not overtighten them or you will break the top housing.

 

[dustin]

Will the lower housing from the Perfect fit the 6.7 amp sanitaire motor? Doesn't sound too terribly hard if all goes as planned.

 

[3rdgenvacguy]

yes it will.

 

[dustin]

Great, Thanks! Will order it as soon as I have a couple extra pennies to rub together, just had to pay for car repairs so vacuums are on the back burner for a bit