Replaced Enviro M-55 FS Convection fan Bearings

When I fired up the M-55 this fall I noticed how loud the convection blower was. It was making a kind of warbling oscillating tone that would come and go with time. Had to turn up the TV about 5 clicks.

I figured after 8 good years it was time to replace the bearings in the blower.
Huge thanks to FHC poster(s) brokenwing and ohbix for their timely post from November 2017 showing back up about 6 pages back.
Convection Fan Excellent post about bearing replacement.

Purchased 3 Replacement Shielded Bearings from McMaster-Carr. Trade # 608-2z for $5.06 each

Opened up the stove and pulled out the convection blower.
Separated the motor bracket from the cross member
Using a home brew penetrating solvent (50/50% Acetone/Auto Trans Fluid)I soaked the shaft setscrew for about 15 minutes. Using a long 2.5mm (IIRC) hex wrench, the setscrew popped and easily backed off a few turns.
Pulled motor off squirrel cage
Gently using a tweeker screwdriver I popped the dust cover off the inside bearing, exposing the cir-clip and two thrust washers.
Used a pair of long reach snap ring pliers I removed the cir-clip.
Pulled out the 2 thrust washers
Separated the motor cover/back/flywheel from the unit.
Using a 15" section of 1/4" round bar I had laying around I pushed out both bearings. One from each end.
Pressed both new bearings back into place.
Pulled the squirrel cage out of the rubber boot and pulled the bearing off the shaft. The shaft kind of pulled out with the bearing a bit but went back into place when I drove the new bearing onto the shaft. Fine tuned it from up inside with the 15" long round bar
Cleaned and re-assembled the blower unit.
Back to the stove....bolted the blower unit back into place and made up all the wiring connections.
Gave the stove a weekly cleaning.
Fired her up and declared success.
What a difference in the noise level.
It's amazing how loud the old bearings were compared to the new ones.
Scale of 1-10 on the difficulty meter puts this repair at about a 6.
Took about 2-1/2 hours total with a coffee break or 2.

Thanks again to those that posted this repair before me. Made the job easy
Hopefully I get 8 more years out of the new ones.
Was able to turn TV back down the 5 clicks.
Sorry no pictures from me. Refer to brokenwings post for good ones.
---Nailer---

 

Nice job Nailer!!

 

You deserve a good pat on the back and a much needed celebration BEER

 

Yep, and not just on pellet stoves. Just replaced the front hub bearings on the '02 Trailblazer (for the 2nd time in 253,000 miles). Boy, what a difference in the noise. Wish I could put a few drops of oil on those bearings every 7-8k miles, but not happening. LOL

 

Thanks for posting this! I was able to lube one of the bearings on my fan last year. I tried regular ol oil at first. Lasted a few weeks. Then I popped the seal and used some wheel bearing grease. It's been quiet for about a year now. Although, I bet I just jinxed it.