Router makes a crunching noise, what's wrong?

[mreza Salav]

I have a Dewalt 2.25HP (with 3 bases) router that's about 4 years old.
It has served me well but recently it makes some noise hard to describe (like crunching or ...). Could it be bearings (if it has one)? or what else? Easy to fix?

[Mitchell Andrus]

Check the carbon brushes (unlikely). The bearings are probably worn. It'll only get worse if it's the bearings.
.

[Frank Drew]

You might try a thorough cleaning to see if some chips are stuck somewhere, but if I had to guess based on your description I'd say the bearings are going.

[mreza Salav]

Oh well, in the middle of a project now I have to see how to fix a tool I am using it heavily for the project...

[mickey cassiba]

Third possibility is the fan. Could have something rubbing on it, or could be breaking up, but as already mentioned, it's probably the bearings. Fan end one is a PITA, the brush end , not so bad.
Mick

[Lee Schierer]

My experience is that motors make crunching noises just before they let the smoke out and become door stops or paper weights. Nothing good can come of it if left alone.