Tips for replacing bearings in 1400 series Eureka upright vacuum

[4seth]

I was wondering if anyone would have tips on installing new bearings in the motor of my neighbors eureka vacuum. She bought this new sometime in the mid 80's she figured and it came from Boston store. It has been her 2nd vacuum for probably the past 12 years. The motor slows down while running and obviously looses suction. I offered to fix it for her if it wasn't too hard.
Would anyone of you have part numbers for the bearings needed? Also I see that there is a new armature on eBay for the 1400 series eureka uprights. Would this be a part that should also be installed?
Any help would be appreciated.
Also could anyone confirm the exact year this vacuum is?
My neighbor has always loved this vacuum for its durable cleaning and light weight design. I would love to get it working like it should again.
Thanks

 

[eurekaprince]

I can take a guess based on the "Eureka" typeface on the front and on the bag, which dates this to early/mid 1980's. It's the same time period in which the first Express and Mighty Mite canisters made their debuts with this new branding style. Earlier Eurekas had the classic "E" logo graphic you see in my avatar, and later ones italicized the new lettering so that it is slanted. Therefore, I'd say 1984 or 1985.

These 1400's were always great vacs: good carpet cleaners that were very lightweight and simple!

I'm not much of an expert in motor rebuilds and repairs, though.

 

[rugsucker]

Eureka

Great vac and looks well cared for.Start with the simple things.Wrong belt?Brush hard to turn from dirty bearings?Clog in fan housing?Damaged fan?If more serious might be best to take to a vac service man(if one is in your area)in person.Or more pictures after running with belt off.Does motor shaft 'wobble'back and forth instead of turning easily?USE CAUTION as you inspect with vac UNPLUGGED!
Good luck.

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

How do you know this machine is "loosing Suction"?

If that is your reason for needing a new bearing, stop for a minute and take into consideration, this is a upright direct air vacuum....In the first place, belts need to be replaced every two to three months, weather the machine is used or not. a belt does NOT last the life of the machine! second off, make certain there is a clean bag, that is correctly installed. A direct air upright will not have super super strong suction, because suction its self has very little to do with how a machine like that cleans, that's why when people use a phrase like that, they think the worst, instead of just performing regular user upkeep...

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Believe it or not, reclining the handle when using tools will also improve the suction. I believe that was stated in the manual for the Hoover 62, but it should apply for all direct air uprights.
Andy

 

[4seth]

Hello and thanks to all of you who replied back.
I checked the belt and i replaced it for my neighbor
About 3 months ago with a genuine eureka belt style r.
The bag is pretty new too end is about 20% full.
I checked the brushroll to be sure that it's bearings were not bad and they must not be as the brushroll turns very easy. I did then turn the motor pulley and rock it back and forth and there is definitely play in it. I also turned it on with the belt off . When I shut it off and when it slows down before stopping, I could hear a rubbing noise from the motor.
Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks again
Aaron

 

[stricklybojack]

.
These vacs have rumbly motors. Post a video if you can. No blockages i guess...
Probably just get a new motor if that is the problem.
There is a newer style motor that probably will swap in, but hopefully someone who
has done it will chime in. Sometimes Hepa bags can hinder air flow from what is nomally expected, especially if the bag is old or picked up damp or fine material.[this post was last edited: 1/5/2017-16:19]

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Well, then as a EXPERIANCED.....

Eureka Expert.....I would say it is the top Sleeve motor bearing, sometimes they do wear out. there is two hood springs that remove the hood, and well as the screw in the middle of the Dial.A.Nap. Then the sleeve bearing is in the middle of the top cover that covers the top of the armature, and the cooling fan. That is held on by two screws. Now that can not be just replaced, because the new bearing needs to be set on, the best way to do that is, place bearing on motor, just screw down the screws a few turns. The with the hood still off, turn on the machine....*Be very careful not to touch the electrical components, and only use the screwdriver on the two screw heads*. Then adjust the two screws down while the machine is running till the motor sound the best...Turn screws slowly to avoid over tightening...just be careful...I hope this helps...

 

[4seth]

Thanks so much for all of the help! I didn't find any blockage in the fan chamber or the bag. I did install a new bag again and just like before, the motor still slows while running the vacuuum at times and then speeds back up again. I will say, between my help and how my neighbor takes care of her things, this vacuum has always had regular belt and bag changes performed on it.
I will try and pick up a top bearing for the motor and I appreciate all of the help on how to install a new one. Is there a part number anyone has that I should take with me to the vacuum shop?
Thanks again for all of the help you people have given to me! I will try and tackle this job tomorrow .

 

[stricklybojack]

.
A sleeve bearing will probably not affect motor speed like that. The carbon brushes are far more likely the problem. I am not too familiar with this motor but given it's typical use in commercial vacuum's of the era i would imagine the brushes are an easy item to remove and replace because they wear out by design. This is why vacuum after-motor-filters soon darken with carbon. Unless it a brushless motor which are rare (new Rainbows are one) and your's isn't. Sleeve bearings rarely wear out and are easily rejuvintaed with a little sewing machine oil...not "3 in 1" oil! They are NOT interchangeable as 3 in 1 will evaporate...and btw never use wd-40 as a lubricant, it is a water displacer, i.e. "WD" formula #40.
Sleeve bearings will absorb and hold the oil like a sponge.
I suggest opening it up and check out those brushes (2), oil the bearing, then go from there.

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

Robert....

If you are not too familiar with this kind of motor, then why are you giving a suggestion??? I have serviced COUNTLESD of these. Furthermore, this is not the same motor Sanitaires usually use, yes the sleve bearings do wear out from time to time...

 

[TheSpiritOf76]

And Aaron...

The whole froum didn't give you detialed instruction on how to make the needed repair, I did...Me my self!

 

[stricklybojack]

.
My suggestion was to simply look at the brushes and lubricate the bearing. My recomendation is easy to do, cost free, and addresses the two obvious variables that have yet to be eliminated.

But since you apparently have specific expertise Jae, what motors will this particular vacuum take without modification? If another type can be fitted, which is the better performer?

Aaron, the red on this is nice, i hope you get it up to par or better without much trouble,
whatever is ailing it. If you want the vac aspirated as originally built, 4 amps, tinker away. If bumping up the suction sounds appealing, i believe a higher power Eureka could be an option.
Btw, what brush roll does it have?




[this post was last edited: 1/7/2017-00:27]

 

[4seth]

I want to give a big thank you to Eurekaprince, rugsucker, thespiritof76, vacuumlad1650, and stricktlybojack for all of your help in getting my neighbors vacuum running like it should.
I went to my local vacuum shop and the owner was so kind to look up the parts on his computer but he did find that they are no longer brushes available for this machine . He did however have the top cover that goes over the Armature which also houses that Bushing/sleeve bearing . He told me that he figured it could've been more the Bushing that was worn and causing the motor to slow then being the brushes . I got home and took the top off the vacuum motor as you can see in the pictures that I took and the top of the Armature shaft was blue like he said it would be you . I could not believe the Dust and dirt around that motor and shroud from all of the years of Jan using it.
Thespiritof76, I thank you because I did just what u said when it came to installing the top cover with the sleeve bearing in it. It worked excellent!! I put everything back together like it was before and once the top metal cover, dial a nap was installed and hood springs were on, I vacuumed my entire home with it and the vacuum never skipped a beat. Motor runs much faster than it did before and didn't slow down at all . Very good suction! Stricktlybojack, the brushroll is wooden and I took pictures of it so you could see. Jan's vacuum got introduced to my eureka canister as I used it to clean her motor out with it. I should take pictures of my other vacuums so u can see. Does anyone know if eBay ever has brushes for these old motors? I own 2 eureka uprights, a new old stock blue ribbon from 1993, and a white and navy blue one with a similar metal hood like Jan's vacuum. I Bought it on eBay toward the end of September. I think it's near the same vintage but what do I know. Enjoy the pictures and I posted a video of it too. My neighbor is so happy with her vacuum that now it's back upstairs where it used to be in her closet and her Hoover empower is downstairs. She forgot how powerful this vacuum once was and is now again!

 

[kloveland]

<p class="MsoNormal">I had the same problem with my 1489. You can get a new complete motor for around $39.00. Mine was the top sleeve bearing as well. It's a shame I can't find the top housing only. </p>

http://www.usavacuum.com/Eureka-Upright-Motor-1-speed-53349-8-53349-4-p/008-533498.htm

 

[sanitairewill]

Time for an old metal topped 7 amp swap

Time for an older metal topped 7 amp swap. Will drop right in and have a lot more power