How to - Brushless Motor Bearings Replacement

by eluminerRC | December 28, 2013 | (9) Posted in How To

Another how to video. This time you will learn how to replace bearings on most brushless motors. I'm doing this on my SunnySky 2212 motors. It's easy!

There are special tools for this, but not a lot of people have them. So this is a simple tutorial on how to do it with tools you probably already have.

Warning:
1. Don't knock new bearings to hard or you will damage them. If you have hard time putting them in, check tip no. 1.

Tips:
1. If you have hard time putting new bearings in, put them in fridge for few hours. Material will shrink just enough so they could fit easily.
2. Some bearings doesn't require oiling, but I strongly recommend doing this. Submerging them in oil is the best method because oil pushes the air out and enters the bearing completely.
3. If you manage to remove E-clip without damaging it you can reuse it. However, this is almost impossible and I strongly recommend using new E-clips.

You need:

New bearings, for SunnySky 2212. I've used AvidRC Metal bearings:
4 pieces of 1/8 x 5/16 x 9/64:
4 pieces of 1/8 x 3/8 x 5/23:

Bearing oil

Traxxas #1633 E-clip/C-ring set:
eBay

Phillips and hex screwdriver, small scissors (or something to remove E-clip), 2 wooden blocks, nose pliers and allen wrench.

 

Enjoy RC as much as I do! :)

COMMENTS

Royall on December 28, 2013
Love those hemostat type pliers you used to install the E clip. Where did you get those?

Good video too!
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eluminerRC on December 29, 2013
Oh, that's what they are called. Now I know! :D I don't know where I got these, I have them forever. One of my favourite tools.
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tigert10 on December 29, 2013
They use those type of pliers for tying flies for fly fishing. You can get them from a fly store or most sporting goods stores pretty cheap.
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eluminerRC on December 29, 2013
Thanks for the info!
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squishy on December 30, 2013
Great article, thanks..
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eluminerRC on December 30, 2013
Thank you! :)
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ashtodust2000 on December 29, 2013
Never ever insert a bearing like that!!!! Never pound on the inside race, use a socket that is just a little bit smaller than the outside diameter of the bearing, Flip the socket over and tap on it untill the bearing is seated.
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eluminerRC on December 29, 2013
That is if you have socket just the right size (you need to, for each bearing since they are different sizes). I'm aware that this could potentially damage the bearing. However, I sad knock it GENTLY and gentle knock won't damage it. Also, if you have hard time putting bearing in, use tip no. 1.
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mark d on December 30, 2013
Sorry, I agree with ashtodust2000. Just a little damaged is a bad way to start. Other potential problems were also ignored like a loose fitting bearing, locktite, cleaning, etc.
I would never soak the bearings in oil like that before installing because the oil would prevent the bearing from accepting the locktite.
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rifted on December 28, 2013
Nice! and thanks for the article! have a hope you had a great Christmas and also have a great new year! Cheers and fly safe!

Ed
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eluminerRC on December 28, 2013
Thank you very much! Best wishes to you as well! ;)
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Dirt Pilot on December 29, 2013
Thanks for the video.
How do you know when to replace the bearings? I mostly fly planes and have to date not noticed anything from the motors that would indicate that a bearing needs to be replaced. What should I be looking for?
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eluminerRC on December 30, 2013
If you oil your bearings often enough they should last for quite some time. You should be looking for grinding noise, play in the shaft etc.
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Flood on January 12, 2014
Nice video! Where to get the bearings and e-clips for other manufactured motors with different names and sizes? Peace, Flood!
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eluminerRC on January 12, 2014
Thanks! You can get bearings and e-clips all over the internet on many different places. I bought bearings at AvidRC and clips on eBay. Just make sure you buy the right size.
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How to - Brushless Motor Bearings Replacement