Should I oil my motor?

[twitchyzero]

one of my motors feels just very slightly more resistance than others when I turning it by hand.

motors are still pretty new...I would guess something like 20 flights.

I read old threads saying 3DR support advising people not to lubricate the motors?

Never crashed the Solo...although it has seen a few flips.

Should I oil it or forget about it?

 

[RichWest]

Good question. The support people said no, as users were over oiling the bearings and was the cause of motor failures.

I know Tri-Flow has been the recommended lube. But I believe it accumulates, builds up in time with repeated applications. I've never used Tri-Flow on these motors, so this is just an opinion based on its use in other applications.

I chose a dry film lube called Slip, at least after it dries. Sold by Avid RC, teflon as well. I'm starting to have bearing tick after 45 hours usage on my T-motor upgrade. Could be other reason for the tick, like normal usage in a dirty environment. Dry film has less ability to accumulate dirt, at least in theory. I'm still undecided as to what is best for the long haul, I think bearing replacement is the solution.

For the stock Solo motors I'd recommend quality bearing replacement. Lube is fine and will work for a period of time, but again the dirt issue is still there. Lube both bearings if you're making the effort. Less is better.

 

[twitchyzero]

do you have link to the bearing parts? Does it require soldering?

I don't care about extra vibration that may come from this...I just dont want it to fail prematurely and have my Solo drop out of the sky.

I have a full set of motor pods replacements but feels like it's too early to swap them in if my original Solo is still relatively unused.

 

[RichWest]

Plenty of threads, but since you asked nicely - Motor Pod bearing size

 

[twitchyzero]

seeing as how removing the plastic rivets was an irerversible process
i went to do the most simplest thing..compressed air...and might just be placebo but both CCW motors now feel equal in resistance.
Good enough for me. It wasn't rickety in the first place like all the examples I came across online with bad bearings.

I haven't flown this Solo in 5 months now as Mavic kinda stole the spotlight...but finally thinking about installing the Peau82 so dusting off the 3DR.

 

[andrew.baker.142]

You don't need to remove the motors from the pods or even remove the pods from the aircraft to oil the bearings. Just get a needle applicator.

 

[VCD]

Oiling the bearings is mostly a waste of time, if they have a problem already, it's hard to get oil into them, and getting it there does not *fix* the bearing anyway.
Consider replacing the bearings instead for much better result.