Ceiling fan bearings

[Bradley Gray]

Has anyone replaced them?

[Tom M King]

We have a Hunter in the highest part of the cathedral ceiling on a 6' down rod. It's been running continuously for over 10 years. I'm not sure they have bearings, or bushings in them, but it started making some noise over a year ago. I bought another fan, but while I was waiting for that one to come, I put some 3-n-1 oil on top where the downrod screws into it for it to run down into whatever was below. It hasn't made any noise again since. It's been running continuously since then, and the new one is still in the box.

[Bradley Gray]

Thanks Tom, This fan is at least 30 years old. I wanted to oil it- wasn't sure where to put the oil w/o taking the fan down.

[Lee DeRaud]

I've got a Casablanca fan that's been running 24/7 since 1992, except for two days last fall when I repainted the ceiling in that room. Still as quiet as the day I installed it.

At this point I suspect it will outlive me.

[Tom M King]

Yeah, ours has been running for a lot longer than 10 years. I remember putting it up right before I left to take our Son to his first Boy Scout Summer Camp. He's 40 now.

[Jim Koepke]

Has anyone replaced them?

Different fixes for different fans.

Hunter used to advertise that competitors used dishwasher motors.

Also remember do not over oil. You don't want oil to get into the motor windings.

I haven't priced a ceiling fan in years. The used to be priced in a range low enough to make replacement a sensible choice.

jtk

[Tom M King]

I have to set scaffolding up to replace that one, and just have a lot of other stuff on the to-do list, so it gets put off until absolutely necessary.

I just put up two Honeywell's last week on an outside porch, after a recommendation by BIL. They work fine, and weren't too hard to get in perfect balance with the plastic blades. BIL has some working for years on an outside porch in salt air.

[Steve Jenkins]

I had to take apart 3 outside fans not for bearing but to remove mud dauber nests.

[Kev Williams]

We have a Hunter in the highest part of the cathedral ceiling on a 6' down rod. It's been running continuously for over 10 years. I'm not sure they have bearings, or bushings in them, but it started making some noise over a year ago. I bought another fan, but while I was waiting for that one to come, I put some 3-n-1 oil on top where the downrod screws into it for it to run down into whatever was below. It hasn't made any noise again since. It's been running continuously since then, and the new one is still in the box.
If/when it gets noisy again, or before you grab 3-in-one, or WD40, or any other light lube for a hinge or whatever-

Go to Lowes and buy a can of "Super Slick Slick Stuff"--
485686
Don't know what's in it, but it puts WD40 and Walmart's 'spray lubricant' to absolute shame. Not sure how it compares to Liquid Wrench, not sure it'll loosen bolts, but wouldn't surprise me :)

My main source of evidence; our main bathroom door would need a shot of lube about every 3 months, just to keep the hinges from squeaking. I sprayed the hinges with this stuff over a year ago and not only do the hinges not squeak, the door still glides closed till it hits the strike plate with just a gentle push. Smells good too ;)

[Tom M King]

Thanks. Will be adding it to my lube cabinet.

[Bill Dufour]

I would be surprised if the bearings are not held in by a spot welded cup or clip. Meaning you may have to drill out some welds and then use screws to reinstall. Or maybe just epoxied together like a washing machine motor end bell has been done for decades.
BilL D

[Ole Anderson]

If/when it gets noisy again, or before you grab 3-in-one, or WD40, or any other light lube for a hinge or whatever-

Go to Lowes and buy a can of "Super Slick Slick Stuff"--
Don't know what's in it, but it puts WD40 and Walmart's 'spray lubricant' to absolute shame. Not sure how it compares to Liquid Wrench, not sure it'll loosen bolts, but wouldn't surprise me :)

Just a reminder: Traditional WD40 is not a lubricant it is largely a solvent. Same with Liquid Wrench. WD40 does make a lot of different spray products however including WD40 Specialist White Lithium Grease which is good stuff. The can looks much like traditional WD40.

[Kev Williams]

While WD40 IS largely a solvent, according to it's MSDS it's first listed use is "lubricant"--
485806

[Tom M King]

I just used 3-N-1 oil because it was what we had in the house, and I was only wanting a few days anyway, but it has lasted well over a year. Now I'm just leaving it both to put off having to stop doing other things and set scaffolding up in the house, but also just to see how long it lasts out of curiosity.

[Lee DeRaud]

While WD40 IS largely a solvent, according to it's MSDS it's first listed use is "lubricant"--
485806
Sounds good, but I've seen pistols lubed with WD40: with added heat it acts like a slow-curing varnish. YMMV

[Mel Fulks]

Agree with Lee. WD-40 is okay for stuff like too tight garbage can tops , and cleaning off sticky labels on brand new garbage cans ! Over
time it gums up , but a NEW application of WD -40 will clean off OLD WD-40 !