How To Replace Solo Motor Bearings!

Maddog · Jan 22, 2016

perkele said:
I don't believe they are tested at all. Listen to motor no 2 before it even had been started for the very first time.

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My lawn mower sounds smoother.

Maddog · Jan 22, 2016

Del said:
I just ordered a "MUCH MORE Brushless Motor Bearing Puller Remover Ver.3" on line...ill let everybody how I make out with it when I get my bearings..

MUCH MORE Brushless Motor Bearing Puller Remover Ver.3 #MK-BRP3,

Cheers

Del, please.. If you wanna make out with your puller- thingie keep it to yourself. This is a family forum.

Ain't the English language fun? Just ask Gallagher or George Carlin..lol!

Del · Jan 22, 2016

Maddog said:
Del, please.. If you wanna make out with your puller- thingie keep it to yourself. This is a family forum.

Ain't the English language fun? Just ask Gallagher or George Carlin..lol!

I never thought of it that way lol

Cheers

Maddog · Jan 22, 2016

Del said:
I never thought of it that way lol

Cheers

I couldn't resist..

SurfnSkate81 · Jan 23, 2016

Del said:
That's the app I used...I used Twist Ties to attach my iPhone to the arm..!
The app dosint work to bad..you gotta take it for what it's worth!!
But it will give a pretty good reference !

View attachment 2358 View attachment 2359 View attachment 2360

Hope this helps..

Cheers

Thanks Del I will give it a try the way you have rigged it up.

SurfnSkate81 · Jan 23, 2016

Maddog said:
Here ya go Surf. You must 1st connect to Solo wifi.
Then click on "initial setup" at the top. Then select "optimized hardware" then "motor test"
View attachment 2361

Thanks mate for the run through.

SurfnSkate81 · Jan 23, 2016

I have also noticed my silver motors 1 & 2 feel a lot more tighter than than black 3 & 4.

Did someone say they believe they could have been on two different production lines?

The sales guy at the department store was telling me that they will wear in, I reckon he was blowing smoke up my arse.

SurfnSkate81 · Jan 23, 2016

RolandS888 said:
Solo motor bearings
Just googling around re Solo motor bearings, for those that are wondering,
(or probably just for my own benefit....so i can search it later)
The dimensions have been listed on these forums, but the standard names are....
Small bearing is an R2-5ZZ or the stainless variant is SR2-5ZZ (1/8 x 5/16 x 9/64)
Larger bearing is an R2ZZ, the stainless variant is SR2ZZ (1/8 x 3/8 x 5/32)
They are about a $1 each on ebay.
440c stainless I imagine would be better than the rock bottom cheapest.
Then theres ceramic which is harder again, at about $5 each.(add a 'C' to the end eg R2ZZ-C))

Roland, have you been able to source these locally here in Australia?

RolandS888 · Jan 23, 2016

SurfnSkate81 said:
Roland, have you been able to source these locally here in Australia?

No, havent really looked for them locally.
They are so cheap on eBay I'll probably buy a handful of the 440c stainless type and put them aside for when I do get around to changing the stock motor bearings.
Small parts and bearings have them, they have everything, but prices are through the roof, just go eBay.

David Weston · Jan 23, 2016

Somethin you might try to press the bearings into place. As I said, don't try to pound them in. You might end up with something worse than when you started. Get a small screw and nut thst will fit through the center of the bearings. Place a washer on both ends that is large enough to cover the bearings. Then tighten the nut slowlu on the srew until both bearings are fully seated. This way you will apply an even pressure across the bearing. I also put a dab of dishwashing soap with a q-tip to the outside race to lube it. Good luck,,it's worth the effort and 2nd time it's a lot easier.

PdxSteve · Jan 23, 2016

I would get some TriFlow lube and use that instead of the dishsoap. It's great bearing lube. We used to use it on the bearings on our skateboards back in the 80s lol, and it's still being used on bearings of all sorts today. Great stuff. Will penetrate sealed bearings too.

David Weston · Jan 23, 2016

Mine were the same also, smooth as a baby's butt after changing. I also got the same app and in my opinion it was useless. Using your touch with the MP motor test is much better.

In case anyone's interested, these are the Boca Bearing P/N's

These are the Boaca Bearing P/N's for SEALED bearings: SR2-LL/C3C and SR2-5UU3. I apologize for the previous P/N/s but there are correct for sealed bearings.

Del · Jan 23, 2016

David Weston said:
Mine were the same also, smooth as a baby's butt after changing. I also got the same app and in my opinion it was useless. Using your touch with the MP motor test is much better.

In case anyone's interested, these are the Boca Bearing P/N's

These are the Boaca Bearing P/N's for SEALED bearings: SR2-LL/C3C and SR2-5UU3. I apologize for the previous P/N/s but there are correct for sealed bearings.

Thanks Dave ..I might try the Boaca bearing next time I order!!
Thanks for the info

Cheers

Del · Jan 23, 2016

I just came across this Video and thought I would share!... I think this is a pretty good example for the people that would like to know the differents between the sound of a Bad Motor Bearing compare to a Good motor Bearing..!

Cheers

Maddog · Jan 24, 2016

Del said:
I just came across this Video and thought I would share!... I think this is a pretty good example for the people that would like to know the differents between the sound of a Bad Motor Bearing compare to a Good motor Bearing..!

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Cheers

That's amazing! If the video is accurate, the Boca bearings don't sound so good.

Clearly an ad for RCTimer.

RCTimer is based in Hong Kong (big surprise). I wonder if they make their own bearings? If not who does?

Del · Jan 24, 2016

Maddog said:
That's amazing! If the video is accurate, the Boca bearings don't sound so good.

Clearly an ad for RCTimer.

RCTimer is based in Hong Kong (big surprise). I wonder if they make their own bearings? If not who does?

I have no ideal...I'm still learning my Self

Cheers

Maddog · Jan 24, 2016

Del said:
I have no ideal...I'm still learning my Self

Cheers

Anyway, it's a great resource- if you have never heard a motor with a bad bearing (like me), how would you know what it sounds like?

RichWest · Jan 24, 2016

Del said:
I have no ideal...I'm still learning my Self

I was wondering the same thing, all three sound bad...less for the RCTimer ones. Personally it sounds like the shafts are spinning in the bearings, which is not good. Preloading bearings will help.

Since your on the trail for discoveries in replacing bearings. First, for you USA people, AVID bearings seems to be good quality and at a buck a piece. They have a good rep in the RC car/truck community, so can't be all that bad.

Here are some pictures for my DIY bearing press, assembled and disassembled. Similar to what DavidWeston had mentioned. The key is not pressing the inner race when seating the bearings, only the outside race. The tool presses the bearings straight in, no need for lube to install. The bearing adapters were machined from aluminum, with .005" smaller OD than the bearing and then the hole's ID was slightly larger than the inner race's OD.

T-Motor cir-clips and thrust washer, I highly recommend buying both. Preloading the installed bearings will improve performance and bearing life, the T-Motor nylon thrust washer is slightly thicker than the stock brass washer but they will compress.

Then in the picture are two tools I use for removing and installing the cir-clips. Both tools can be had through McMaster-Carr and are a bit tricky to use, but once mastered makes the task easier. The plier looking tool, is a cir-clip spreader, very valuable for these odd shaped cir-clips. On second thought, the tools are a little pricey, I'd only purchase if your doing bearing replacement as a biz. Me, I have a weakness for specialty tools...no biz need.