Correct Greast to Lubricate Electric Motor Rear Bearing?

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:33 pm

I am wondering if the questioner and the manufacturing reps are on the same page. The answer from GE is the one I would expect if the question was about an open frame design. I have been using bearings manufactured by Nachi in Japan and they have a unique design for the seals in their sealed bearings. The seals have a recess where the expanding grease can move to when the bearing gets warm and the grease returns to the interior of the bearing when it cools. If a bearing was to pull grease in to the interior of of the bearing it may very well be pulling in contaminated grease. I do not put any extra grease around sealed bearings as I don't think that it is necessary.
The only grease I use is a very small amount of white lithium grease on the outer shell to ease installation and minimize corrosion that would make the bearing difficult to remove from the recess at a later date.
Bill V

db5 · Post by **db5** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:59 pm

wa2crk wrote: I have been getting bearings from VXB Bearings on the internet for several years and have not had any problems. Bill

XVB is the place to get bearings. They are first quality and less expensive than anyplace I've found, either directly in the Orange County area or on the internet. Don't waste time looking elsewhere. http://www.vxb.com/

trainguytom · Post by **trainguytom** » Mon Jul 16, 2012 9:52 pm

The old Franklin 3/4 hp, I believe, has 2 different size bearings & I think that's true for the Emerson. I'd either get a caliper or find a friend with one & measure the bearings to find the size.
I get mine from Us Bearings & belts on ebay & have good prices & service & free shipping.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:04 am

trainguytom wrote:The old Franklin 3/4 hp, I believe, has 2 different size bearings & I think that's true for the Emerson. I'd either get a caliper or find a friend with one & measure the bearings to find the size.
I get mine from Us Bearings & belts on ebay & have good prices & service & free shipping.

ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 12:34 pm

OK!! I was working on an Emerson motor today and I believe I know why there is grease in the bearing cup. While trying to assemble the motor the spring washer that is behind the rear bearing does not stay in place when I tried to assemble the cover. A small amount of wheel bearing grease is necessary to hold that washer in place so the cover can be reinstalled.
Bill V

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:39 pm

wa2crk wrote:OK!! I was working on an Emerson motor today and I believe I know why there is grease in the bearing cup. While trying to assemble the motor the spring washer that is behind the rear bearing does not stay in place when I tried to assemble the cover. A small amount of wheel bearing grease is necessary to hold that washer in place so the cover can be reinstalled.
Bill V

Is that a mark V motor you are working on or one from one of the Power Stands? If it is a Mark V motor (1 1/8hp) does it have two bearings or just one bearing and a bushing in the rear?

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 1:45 pm

Dusty;
It is a MK V motor about 1985 vintage and it has one ball bearing at each end of the shaft. The spring washer takes up any end play in the shaft.
Bill V

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:49 pm

[quote="wa2crk"]Dusty]

Thank you for the reply. I ask because I am about to do a bearing replacement on both of my motors. One is an Emerson and the other an AO Smith.

The Emerson Motor that was in my Crafters Station has a bushing in the back end. I was surprised to find that.

Just trying not to be surprised and/or unprepared when I take down the Mark V.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 7:45 pm

dusty wrote:Is that a mark V motor you are working on or one from one of the Power Stands? If it is a Mark V motor (1 1/8hp) does it have two bearings or just one bearing and a bushing in the rear?

My power station emerson motor has a bushing in both ends. Yours had a bearing in the shaft end?

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:29 pm

dusty wrote:Thank you for the reply. I ask because I am about to do a bearing replacement on both of my motors. One is an Emerson and the other an AO Smith.

The Emerson Motor that was in my Crafters Station has a bushing in the back end. I was surprised to find that.

Just trying not to be surprised and/or unprepared when I take down the Mark V.

Dusty,

I know just what you need to keep you up and running while you have your motors down for maintenance