Replacing motor bearings

[slash007]

I am pretty sure that some of my motors need the bearings replaced. I am looking for advice on the best place to buy them, and also how to know when they need to be switched out? Some of my motors are pretty quiet, but others make a loud whining noise and others a knocking noise. Here are the motors I have:
View attachment 960

 

[cwguy.com]

I was just going to replace my motors when they fail.... it has been 8 years. The sound is an added feature.... the customers can hear the motors working!

 

[MEP001]

Whining is the sign the bearings need to be replaced. If it's knocking, it may be too far gone. The best way to check the bearing is to take the belt off and spin it. It should make no bearing noise at all.

There's nothing special about motor bearings, but it's a huge PITA to change them if you don't have access to a press.

Don't grease 182T or 184T Baldor motors. You'll do more harm than good.

 

[mac]

We do motor bearings all the time, and mostly onsite. So long as you can get the moror off and have a bench to work on, it's usually not that hard. On the motor data plate it states what bearings are needed for both ends. Mep is right about greasing them. Many have a grease fitting on them Contact the motor manufacturer on greasing. Most say once a year, and only a couple of squirts.

 

[slash007]

Whining is the sign the bearings need to be replaced. If it's knocking, it may be too far gone. The best way to check the bearing is to take the belt off and spin it. It should make no bearing noise at all.

There's nothing special about motor bearings, but it's a huge PITA to change them if you don't have access to a press.

Don't grease 182T or 184T Baldor motors. You'll do more harm than good.

Too late, already greased them... Since they were used, I figured they were neglected and never greased, so I actually put a bunch in there. Usually I put 2 squirts, but instead I put at least 10. Why do you say to not grease them, and what can happen? Also, I have changed bearings on cat 623 pumps before. Is it different? I do have a bearing puller. Is putting them back on the hard part?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I've never greased a motor. Most of mine are over 20 years old.

 

[MEP001]

Too late, already greased them... Since they were used, I figured they were neglected and never greased, so I actually put a bunch in there. Usually I put 2 squirts, but instead I put at least 10. Why do you say to not grease them, and what can happen? Also, I have changed bearings on cat 623 pumps before. Is it different? I do have a bearing puller. Is putting them back on the hard part?

There's no place for excess grease to go except into the windings. That's really bad. The motors are recommended to be greased every 16,000 hours, which is longer than most of them last.

It's about the same to change bearings on a motor as it is on a 623 pump.

I won't mess with bearings, instead I shop eBay for a good deal on a new one with free shipping.

 

[pgrzes]

I put a used Coleman pump stand in and replaced a bunch of bearings on those same motors. If you have access to a press they are simple and you dont have to remove the whole motor. Take pulley or fan off, take cover-plate off pull armature out and there is your bearings. They are only a few dollars apiece at any bearing store. My motors had grease zerks, but the factory bearings do not have a groove for grease. So that is worthless!! I bought greasable bearings. I have a spare motor, so I just put new bearings on an armature and swapped it out, to me was faster and easier to do that then motor swap.