Thread Number: 7633
How do i service a hoover convertibles top bearing 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 84165   11/16/2009 at 16:51 (5,268 days old) by thevacuumman (Borger, TX)        

because i forgot how to

Post# 84170 , Reply# 1   11/16/2009 at 17:28 (5,268 days old) by mb_1981 (Fraser, MI)        

Buy some 3-in-one oil, the kind that specifically says for 1/4 hp motors or larger. Remove the bearing, after you have done so wipe the shaft with a clean lint-free cloth. Next, wipe the lower side of the bearing off with a paper towel. For the next step you'll need some Q-tips. Basically, what you're going to want to do is put a few drops of 3-in-one on the tip of the Q-tip and use it to clean out the bearing. Repeat this until the Q-tip comes out clean. After you're done with that, fill the bearing with oil and let it soak for awhile. Drain off the excess, put a drop of oil on the shaft for good measure and reassemble.

I hope that helps.

Post# 84194 , Reply# 2   11/16/2009 at 22:39 (5,268 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
Eek!

 I was told to never oil those bearings!

Just replace it. They're still available. Hoover part number 42939002.

~Fred

Post# 84197 , Reply# 3   11/17/2009 at 01:51 (5,268 days old) by seamusuk (Dover Kent UK)        
Agree with Fred......

 According to all the Hoover Service info ive seen the top bearing in Seniors/Convertibles(also the rear bearing in Juniors/Larks) is self lubricating and MUST NOT be greased/oiled..........


Seamus

Post# 84218 , Reply# 4   11/17/2009 at 16:52 (5,267 days old) by ohio_tuec ()        

Right, that's all well and good for now, but what happens when these bearings are no longer available? Surely these bearings came with some sort of lubrication from the factory. I would think some sort of heavy duty grease? Can't the lower bearing be greased? Is it difficult to access?

Post# 84222 , Reply# 5   11/17/2009 at 17:46 (5,267 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
Well...

 The cleaners that take those same upper bearings are still being made (albeit in China). So, for now, we're safe.

Yes, the lower bearing can be greased. There's an easy way and a difficult way.

Easy way: Take the fan off of the motor, jam grease up inside the bearing.

Difficult way (Hoover Service way): Take the motor completely apart, remove the fan and the armature, and use the special Hoover grease gun nozzle from the top-side of the bearing.

((See the instructions below, scanned from a Hoover service manual))

~Fred

Post# 84223 , Reply# 6   11/17/2009 at 17:53 (5,267 days old) by extraditgitzz ()        
NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER USE GREASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 NEVER EVER EVER EVER USE GREASE!!!!!!! THIS WILL RUIN THE BEARING...... WE HAVE BEEN OVER THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

MB1981 HAS IT RIGHT!!!

Buy some 3-in-one oil, the kind WITH THE BLUE LABEL. Remove the bearing, after you have done so wipe the shaft with a clean lint-free cloth. Next, wipe the lower side of the bearing off with a paper towel. For the next step you'll need some Q-tips. Basically, what you're going to want to do is put a few drops of 3-in-one on the tip of the Q-tip and use it to clean out the bearing. Repeat this until the Q-tip comes out clean. After you're done with that, fill the bearing with oil and let it soak for awhile. Drain off the excess, put a drop of oil on the shaft for good measure and reassemble.

IF YOU USE GREASE IT WILL RUIN THE BEARING AS IT IS POROUS!!! THE GREASE WILL ALSO DRIP ONTO THE ARMITURE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE DAMAGE. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT APPY GREASE! THESE BEARINGS WILL LAST FOREVER IF YOU SERVICE THEM AS INSTRUCTED ABOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post# 84225 , Reply# 7   11/17/2009 at 18:33 (5,267 days old) by hoovercelebrity (Germany)        
Um...

 I'm talking about greasing the LOWER motor bearing.

We've established that the upper bearing shouldn't be greased OR oiled.

~F

Post# 84229 , Reply# 8   11/17/2009 at 21:10 (5,267 days old) by extraditgitzz ()        
The upper bearing can be oiled.

 It can be oiled provided you follow the instructions and precautions. It is like any other bronze bearing. I have been doing to for at least 15 years and have never encountered a problem. So you really haven't establised anything.

Post# 84276 , Reply# 9   11/19/2009 at 00:05 (5,266 days old) by collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)        

collector2's profile picture
LOL - The lower (fan side) bearing is a Bearing and, as such can be greased with bearing grease. The upper is not an actual bearing. Its call a BUSHING and requires 3 in 1 oil. Generally bushings have a packing around them which holds oil to perpetually lubricate the bushing. Over time this drys out. The procedure which Mike describes above is the proper way of lubricating them as long as the bushing is still in good shape (they can be deformed through heat and friction if run dry). The same procedure is used for the old Canadian Electrolux motors (80 and AP series) as they had the same bearing / bushing configuration.

Post# 84317 , Reply# 10   11/19/2009 at 18:02 (5,265 days old) by marukap (Saint Louis, MO)        

OK, then why do ALL of these bushings say in plain English "DO NOT LUBRICATE"????

Post# 84319 , Reply# 11   11/19/2009 at 18:10 (5,265 days old) by kirbyotronic ()        
I'm with MB and extradigitzz

 Follow the directions above with 3 in 1 for 1/4 HP motors or larger (SAE 20). I've done this many times with these bearings and it's never been a problem. I know other collectors who have done it to tons of different vacuums with great results. It's the best thing you can do for these bearings. But greasing these types of bearings is a big NO-NO.

If the manufacturer told you to jump off a bridge when it's time to change the bag, would you do it? My guess it's just a matter of making a profit, selling the customer a brand new bearing instead of doing a DIY job for a couple bucks.

~Alex

Post# 84329 , Reply# 12   11/19/2009 at 21:56 (5,265 days old) by extraditgitzz ()        
OK, then why do ALL of these bushings say in plain English &

 So some village idiot does not spray WD40 into a running motor and light themselves up, furthermore it is to protect them from the same village idiot that would put grease in that bronze BEARING and have it drip into the armiture and cause a potential fire from the small arc at the carbon brushes.

Not all of the top bearings say this. I will defend my stance on this however anyone else can do as they wish.

Post# 84364 , Reply# 13   11/20/2009 at 13:56 (5,264 days old) by electroluxxxx (……)        

umm I used bearing grease on the top bearing of my Hoover 1020
was that a mistake?

Post# 84379 , Reply# 14   11/20/2009 at 17:07 (5,264 days old) by vintagehoover ()        

extraditgitzz - I think you're giving them credit when you say 'WD40'.

The public would substitute lard or cooking oil for bearing grease, in the same way they'll substitute a paper or plastic grocery bag for a proper pourous vacuum bag...

Post# 84419 , Reply# 15   11/21/2009 at 09:23 (5,263 days old) by extraditgitzz ()        

Point well taken. I hate the plastic bag in the jacket.

Post# 84492 , Reply# 16   11/22/2009 at 17:59 (5,262 days old) by mb_1981 (Fraser, MI)        

Grease will destroy a sleeve bearing. If you greased it, you will need to replace it.

I forgot to put this in my original reply but when you have the bearing unscrewed give it a wiggle to see if it has any play in it. It's been my experience that if it has even a tiny amount of play then the motor will grind a little bit, even if the lower bearing is in good shape.


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