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Replacing the Bearing
Step 1: Removing motor from the pod
Remove all four bolts starting with the hardest one in the left corner.
Pro tip: Cut a 3mm allen key shorter and bend the long end. It makes the job easier.
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The motor has 3 bearings
2x in the rear, visible when you remove the rotor
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6800 NSK Stainless Steel Bearing: For durability and corrosion resistance.
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6800 Ceramic Bearing: For high performance and reduced friction.
1x in the front, deep in the stator, close to the motor pod
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6900 Ceramic Bearing
Step 2: Removing the bearings
Option 1 - Use a specialized bearing removing tool (preferred)
Watch this video for removing a bearing with the tool
Option 2 - Use an M6 bolt and hammer
Use a long M6x85mm bolt to remove the old bearings. Make sure to place the bolt end on the bearing, not the bottom lip where the bearings seat. You can flip the motor over to check before tapping both out. They should pop out easily with very little force. For more details watch the video.
Option 3 - Use a wall anchor bolt and plier
Step 3: Pre-installation checks
Check that the bearings can properly slide into the rotor shaft. If the bearing seems to get stuck it indicates that a part of the shaft has imperfections causing the bearing to get stuck. This is likely due to an uneven surface on the shaft. To resolve this issue, follow the steps below:
1. Sand the shaft using sandpaper (type: 600 CW, then 1500 CW for the finishing).
2. Watch the instructional video: Shaft sanding
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Sand the shaft as shown in the video.
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Check the bearing fitting.
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If still stuck, repeat the process until the bearing fits properly.
Step 4: Installing the new bearings
A. Before installation, clean the edges where the bearings will be placed.
Pro tip: To install new bearings, you may use a 13mm socket to properly press the bearing equally on all sides. Make sure to test if the socket fits equally around the outer bearing wall, but not get stuck in the motor well. It may take a different size socket to work. With equal pressure from the socket, the bearing should easily slip into place.
B. Apply a "SUPER THIN" coat of Loctite 480 or 680 to the outer bearing walls to secure the bearings firmly.
C. Lightly position the white ceramic bearing flat and use the 13mm socket to press equally around the outer bearing wall into the motor well. A very light finishing tap with 13mm socket and rubber mallet should seat the bearing perfectly. Wipe off excess loctite.
D. Repeat above steps with outer stainless bearing.
E. Reinstall motor mount bolts first. Use blue medium strength loctite on the bolts.
F. After letting the bearing loctite dry overnight your setup should be ready to go.
Additional note: If the bearings come out during rotor removal, reposition them after sanding and secure with Loctite 480.
Watch the Tutorial for the complete process below.