How to disassemble a vacuum cleaner motor

Every home uses a vacuum cleaner for cleaning. The ease of use is undeniable. If this unit breaks down, you have to think about the possibility of repairing it yourself. If the user has technical skills, you can try to identify the malfunction by independently disassembling the vacuum cleaner engine, thereby saving on expensive maintenance from service departments.

How to disassemble a vacuum cleaner motor

The presence of extraneous noise, crackling or sparks when the vacuum cleaner is turned on indicates an urgent need for repairs. First of all, remove the plastic housing parts to gain access to the motor of the faulty unit.

ATTENTION! When disassembling the plastic case, do not apply great pressure on the connection elements. They break quickly and are very difficult to restore.

Tools and Supplies

Each master has an individual approach to performing plumbing work and, accordingly, the devices for performing the task may differ. But, it is advisable to disassemble the electric motor using the following tools:

• small vice;
• file;
• set of screwdrivers;
• hacksaws;
• pliers;
• several wooden blocks;
• set of wrenches.

Disassembly stages

After removing the plastic panels of the vacuum cleaner body, we gain access to the engine and begin disassembly.

1. First, disconnect the electrical contacts from the motor terminals.
2. Then, using a thin screwdriver, unscrew the screws, spring clips of the contact brushes and brush holders. After this, remove the impeller protective casing by lightly tapping the outer surfaces of the housing with a hammer. To avoid damaging the body, it is better to strike with a hammer through a wooden block.

IMPORTANT! Some models have a rolled impeller guard, to remove which you need to bend the bent elements of the casing and then remove the casing.

Next, unscrew the impeller nut. This is the most difficult and crucial moment of engine disassembly. Let's consider the options used for fixing the axis on which the nut is located:

1. Wedging of the space between the stator and rotor. This method is often used by “home craftsmen”. A screwdriver of a suitable size is inserted into the cavity between the rotating elements of the motor and wedge them. The simplicity of this method often has a detrimental effect on the further operation of the motor, since the surface of the stator or rotor is damaged.
2. Clamp in a vice. To use the method correctly, wooden blocks are made and placed in the cavities of the brush holders. Using medium force, the wooden sticks together with the motor are compressed in a vice until the rotor axis is fixed.
3. The design features of some vacuum cleaner models allow you to make a cut on the end surface of the armature shaft. If the axis protrudes beyond the nut by 1 cm or more, then it would be rational to use this method. The cut on the armature axis must be done with the stator secured with a hacksaw or grinder.

The cut is sometimes performed on the shaft and nut at the same time. But at the same time, the body of the nut cannot be filed down to more than 30% of the thickness.

IMPORTANT! After making a cut, it is necessary to remove all chips so that they cannot fall on the rotating elements of the electric motor. Remaining metal particles may cause a short circuit.

Another method of fixing the rotor is to use a noose. Copper-based wire, nylon rope or rigid cord are used to immobilize the anchor axis. To do this, you need to fold the selected material in half and insert it into the stator openings to access the rotor. Twist the outer surface of the anchor, lead the fixing cord into the hole that was wound in. Then you need to thread it through itself and firmly fix the rotor. This method is very safe, but not always effective. The nut may not come loose when using this method because the friction between the armature and the cord prevents the tightening force from being broken.

After choosing an available method for fixing the rotor shaft, unscrew the nut and remove the stator impeller.

IMPORTANT! Unlike conventional threads, a right-hand thread is used on the armature shaft, so you need to unscrew it clockwise.

Further:

1. The upper armature bearing mounting plate, which is open for access, is unscrewed with an appropriate screwdriver, more often a Phillips screwdriver. To remove the plate from the grooves, pry it up with a flat screwdriver and gradually pull it out.
2. After separating the plate by 1–2 centimeters, it is fixed on the support. As the latter, wooden blocks are used, which are installed between the plate and the stator housing. Now knock out the armature with the bearing from the plate.To do this, use a hammer with a wooden block to maintain the integrity of the threads that are struck. When the armature bearing is freed from its mounting in the plate, pull out the rotor.

The vacuum cleaner motor is disassembled. After this, all components are inspected and the reason for disassembling the vacuum cleaner is identified.

What kind of malfunctions can there be?

Visually determine the integrity of all disassembled components. If obvious defects are detected, eliminate:

1. Bearing wear. When the shaft is rotated, even before disassembly, the rotation is accompanied by an extraneous sound. After disassembly, you need to make sure that both bearings are intact. If a faulty one is found, replace it.
2. Extraneous sound during operation of the vacuum cleaner may be associated with the axial displacement of the impeller. After removal, it must be carefully inspected, especially where it fits on the shaft. If irregularities are detected inside the mounting hole, the impeller must be replaced.
3. The reason for the appearance of extraneous sounds during engine operation may be loose fasteners on the stator or rotor. When such places are identified, the appropriate fasteners are selected and the defect is eliminated.
4. Sparks that become visible when the vacuum cleaner is turned on can be eliminated by replacing the brushes. However, when working for a long time with faulty brushes, carbon deposits form on the surfaces of the rotating surfaces. This deposit is completely removed for stable operation of the vacuum cleaner.
5. It is rarely possible to accurately determine the presence of damage to the stator or rotor winding after a visual inspection. For diagnostic accuracy, use a tester that will give a clear answer. If the winding is faulty, it must be rewinded or replaced with a new one.

After eliminating the identified defects, the electric motor with the vacuum cleaner is assembled in the reverse order and operated in the required mode.

It is difficult to imagine putting things in good order without the use of such an assistant as a vacuum cleaner. The ability to properly disassemble and repair household appliances will save money and not require the help of service centers.