bearing replacement on a Wilderness Energy BL36 front motor

[sulphuric99]

Hi all,
I originally bought this front brushless hub motor kit (BL36 - 36V 20A) from Bernson EV (now defunct). I believe it was made by Wilderness Energy (also gone). I've put many thousands of miles on this amazing little hub motor, commuting to work or the train, with no problems until now. Over the past week I've ridden in some terrible rain (and a little mud!), and now the hub motor's bearings seem to be giving up on me. It's hard to describe, but the sound of the wheel when it spins unloaded is noticeable different and louder (like the bearings need to be lubricated). Otherwise, it runs fine.

Does anyone have any tips on how to best fix or lubricate the bearings? I've taken a Crystalyte 5304 rear hub motor apart before to replace a burned out hall sensor, using a gear puller to get it apart. But I've never replaced a bearing before, and I've just moved so I don't have access to much in the way of tools or a workshop at the moment. I've got a gear puller, a wheel bearing remover/puller tool, and a basic tool set, but I don't have easy access to a shop/vice/etc.

Thanks,
-RichG

McKinney, TX

 

[dogman dan]

http://www.ebikes.ca/shop/ebike-parts/motor-parts/bbearing400.html The 400 series clyte was close to identical to the WE / Aotema motors.

Once you get the old bearing out, you can likely just install the new one by gently tapping it in with a cut off broomstick. Or, just take the new bearings and your covers to a machine shop. They press in bearings all day there.

 

[sulphuric99]

Thanks dogman, I'll try that and report back what happens.

 

[d8veh]

Bearings are standard parts. Once you get them out, read the numbers on them and take them to your local bearing supplier, where they will be much cheaper than buying them from a motor supplier for the same bearings.

 

[sulphuric99]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I removed and replaced the bearings and put the motor back together successfully. I used basic hand tools and this bearing removal set to get the bearings out:

Wheel Bearing Remover Separator Extractor Puller Tool - Pit Posse
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SUWPM8/ref=pe_385040_128020140_TE_3p_dp_1

Getting the bearings out involved some hammering, but was pretty easy. Removing the bearing from the tool (after removing it from the hub motor side cover) was the hardest part.

I used these bearings:

6004Z Electric Motor Double Metal Shielded 20 x 42 x 12mm Metric Ball Bearing - Amico
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008LTIFG8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

To get the new bearings in, I placed one of the old bearings right on top/against the new one and hammered away with the side cover on the garage floor.

Only one of the old bearings sounded bad, and there was noticeable rust near it. It was on the wire side.