How to Fix a Fan

[harris7]

I have two fans that donâ??t work. One is stuck (white) and one makes an annoying sound when on (black). So i took them apart and fixed them.

this is how:

When you crack them open youâ??ll see a small motor. Iâ??ve taken apart quiet a few fans and they are all generally the same. This only goes for cheap fans. If you get an inline duct fan or a blower (good quality shit) they are built better and very different.
But they all use the same principle.

Anyhoo, most of the pics are self explanatory.

What is important is to note the points were friction occurs. This would be above and below the cylinder that you see in pics 4 and 5. Youâ??ll see two very similar brackets (one is laid out in pic 5) they differ only by the hole. On one, the bottom, it is a cylindrical hole which does not go through the bracket; as it holds the axle in place. On the other the hole goes right through.

These two holes are the main friction points. So if your fan is stuck itâ??s probably a lubrication problem here. So clean them out with q-tips and replace the lube. It just wears out over time. Other fans like blowers it is much easier to add lube as you donâ??t need to take them apart.

The black fan on the other hand makes a VERY annoying sound when running. This is caused by the hole in the bracket being slightly too big and unlubed. If the whole is normal size the fan will seize up when lube runs out, like the white one.
Lube will also fix this problem.

Since youâ??ve got the fan apart it is a very good idea to clean out all the dust that has collected on the motor. Youâ??ll probably be surprised. If the lube runs out again the motor will heat up an this dust can catch fire. So always keep them clean.

Enjoy

harris7 Reviewed by harris7 on 11-22-2006. How to Fix a Fan I have two fans that donâ??t work. One is stuck (white) and one makes an annoying sound when on (black). So i took them apart and fixed them. this is how: When you crack them open youâ??ll see a small motor. Iâ??ve taken apart quiet a few fans and they are all generally the same. This only goes for cheap fans. If you get an inline duct fan or a blower (good quality shit) they are built better and very different. But they all use the same principle. Anyhoo, most of the pics Rating: 5

[doco]

Hey Harris7, thanks for the tutorial...I was about to throw out an old fan when I remembered this thread...a little WD-40 here & there and now the fan is working like new again!!

[pastor420]

Very helpful indeed! I love the whole idea of recycling/repairing rather than trashing.

[Volker]

Very helpful indeed! I love the whole idea of recycling/repairing rather than trashing.

hehehe... I've gotten all my fans out of other peoples' trash. First one (naked vortex) is out of a range/stove hood, the squirrel cage out of a microwave oven.

[pastor420]

I know the microwave squirrel cage well Volker...I'm currently using two of them.