Frigidaire Affinity dryer motor bearings - how to lube?

[jben]

I'm still awaiting new parts for my washer project and decided to refresh the ~2005 Kenmore (Frigidaire Affinity) dryer. I've been cleaning out lint like crazy and will be installing a new fan/blower housing (fan had stripped off the motor shaft), new drum bearing and new front upper felt seal. The idler pulley and belt seem to be fine.

The motor shaft seems to turn OK but I can hear a faint noise when I spin the shaft by hand. Are these bearings designed that they can be re-lubed ?

There seems to be a hard plastic shield (see 2nd picture) so I don't think I can get turbine oil directly into the bearing. Would there be a "wick" inside to reload with some oil if I can pop off that seal ?

I guess I'll have to pull the motor out but don't know if it is possible to lube the bearings while they are still on the motor shaft nor how to get the bearings off of the shaft - if that is going to be required?

Would appreciate any comments or help on this matter while I've got the dryer torn down over the next week. I searched and read lot's of information on the rear drum bearing but have not found anything about these motor bearings.

 

[turbokinetic]

This motor has two shafts coming out, one at each end. That is good because you can turn the motor on end, with one shaft facing straight upwards, and put SAE20 electric motor oil into the wicks by dribbling it in around the shaft. Put about a half teaspoon to one teaspoon of oil in each end. Let the motor sit on end for 5 or 10 minutes then flip it over and service the other end. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">If there was no shaft on the rear, you could punch a hole in the metal shield and put the oil in that way, then plug the hole.</span>

 

This motor has journal bearings. Essentially, it's just a bushing pressed into the end housings which the shaft rides in. They are not removable without pressing them out and a lot of work. 

The plastic ring is just a mounting damper which helps to isolate vibration from the motor from transferring to the base of the dryer and making noise.

 

You'll always hear some sound when rotating these motors manually. They have a centrifugal mechanism on the rotor. This mechanism revolves with the rotor. It rubs against a switch to actuate the start-winding of the motor, and block the heating element from getting power until the motor is up to speed. Once it's at speed, the centrifugal mechanism retracts and does not rub anything. 

 

Sincerely,

David

 

[combo52]

Oiling An Emerson Dryer Motor

We do this all the time by drilling a hole through the aluminum bearing housing, drill the holes on the top as the motor is mounted.

 

Use a good light motor oil as David suggested.

 

As you get more into fixing and servicing Washers and Dryers you will soon find out there are much better dryers out there than Frigidaire built dryers, But I must admit we make a lot of money fixing FD dryers, I put a rear bearing kit in one like that this afternoon.

 

John L.

 

[jben]

The above comments were very helpful. Thanks.

I got it all buttoned back up and it runs (again) and looks great!