E30 blower motor bearings.

[theryan96]

Is there anyway to get new bearings for the blower motor or even take them out and lube them. I know it wont last that long even if you lube them but it would be worth the try.

[Nihilator]

I was losing my lowest fan speed and getting some electrical burning smell because the bearings were starting to bind. I opened up the access panel and squirted some lube in there and now they're much better. There is no way that I saw to remove the old bearings and get new ones in. Even if you could, I would say that any attempt to disassemble the fan would probably be destructive. The cages are balanced and if they get a little bent or cracked, they'll never run true again.

I think your options are either squirt some WD40 or lithium grease in there, or replace the whole fan. There's no middle ground.

--Chris

[thejlevie]

The "smart money" is on a new OEM blower.

[msservices]

http://www.grainger.com/product/DAYT...Code=P2IDP2PCP

I have successfully dissassembled and retrofit bearings like these into two e30 fan motors. I was able to find them on the shelf at a local hardware store, but i paid twice as much for them that way. The motor shaft is 8mm or 5/16, and the 3/4"plus OD of these bearings can be pressed into the sheet metal of the factory bearing housings. Just a forewarning, this is not exactly a 1-2 on the difficulty scale, as the blower motors were not built to be serviced, and you have to mark all the parts and take photos as you take it apart or it will spin backwards when you install it. Ask me how I know. You CAN twist off the squirrel cages one at a time without breaking them, but it requires finesse. Also when you reassemble the motor, you have to insert some type of retainer wires to hold the brushes back while they clear the armature.

[arches2012]

i,m impressed,woooow.its amaising what you can do if you put your mind to it.

[graycat]

msservices; A tip of the hat to you. graycat

[msservices]

Thank you. These motors have become ungodly expensive, and I have considered offering the repair to fellow e30 owners , but honestly, once you have the right bearings in hand, its simply a matter time (which I am lacking atm) and of course the proper tools. I would like to do my first write up (with photos) on this if the situation presents itself again.

[ThatSandwich]

Dielectric grease. There's an access hole for lubrication on the blower motor. It's not a permanent fix but it helps for a while.

[panasonic]

http://www.grainger.com/product/DAYT...Code=P2IDP2PCP I have successfully dissassembled and retrofit bearings like these into two e30 fan motors. I was able to find them on the shelf at a local hardware store, but i paid twice as much for them that way. The motor shaft is 8mm or 5/16, and the 3/4"plus OD of these bearings can be pressed into the sheet metal of the factory bearing housings. Just a forewarning, this is not exactly a 1-2 on the difficulty scale, as the blower motors were not built to be serviced, and you have to mark all the parts and take photos as you take it apart or it will spin backwards when you install it. Ask me how I know. You CAN twist off the squirrel cages one at a time without breaking them, but it requires finesse. Also when you reassemble the motor, you have to insert some type of retainer wires to hold the brushes back while they clear the armature.

I know Msserivce hasn't been online since 2016, but he links to a bearing that's 3/8" ID, then says the shaft is an 8mm shaft. The linked bearing also has an OD of 7/8", and you say seat is 3/4". Is the "1ZGD4" bearing correct (R6-2RS)? My original blower had one cage come apart, so I replaced it with a junkyard blower and the bearings have begun making noise. So I figured I'd try to bearing replacement instead of looking for another used one that will just go out soon. I's just like to have the bearings ordered and arrive before I take my blower out. But if no one knows I guess I'll just have to pull it and measure myself.

[Jeffnhiscars]

for what they cost, just buy them and cross your fingers

[Ceekers]

Equally impressed cudo's to you..sometimes doing these kind of things proves to oneselve the impossible...LOL

for the amount of time and money as suggested it is just better to buy another used motor or get a new one.
most aftermarket places will carry the motor only and you will need to remove and install the old baskets.
As said it takes some finesse but doable. it's cheaper when you buy only the motor.

[AussiBMW]

My 1988 325i has the original blower motor that got tight in the bearings. Tried several lube oils including Shell T10 and none worked, The bearings were still tight. The solution was SuperLube Multipurpose Synthetic Oil.(with Syncolon (PTFE ). The fan runs at full speed and low sped perfectly. After 2 years starts to make a noise and requires wetting the bearings again with Superlube.
No need to remove the fan, Just remove the cover and oil the bearings I use a thin plastic tube to reach the bearings.

Chris