LG 349R refrigerator. Noisy Condenser fan motor4680JB1035H. Can I replace ball bearings?

[benyamin39]

Hi. I have a LG refrigerator model 349R. It is in very good condition, the only problem is the condenser fan motor that gets noisy some time. I remove the part and spinned the axis. I heared some squeaking so the problem is the motor. I opened it and here are the pictures. Is there an alternative to replacing the entire motor :

1. Can the ball bearing be removed and replaced?

2. Is there a way to grease it (although I believe those bearing are not meant to be greased)

3. What is the purpose of the hole on the side. I found some sort of gum in it.

Thx for your help

 

 

 

[bzserviceco]

I well respect your depression era " lets fix it before we pitch it" mentality !

Can you ???  Yes,  at probably 200 to 1000 times the price of the new one.  You would have to go to some prototype machine shop,  with the replacement bearing {bronze friction bearing, not ball bearing, add $500 if ball bearing, if even possible},  and then,  after several days or weeks,  you could come and retrieve the motor.

   The last I heard,  even semi-hermetic compressors under one and one half HP are being pitched instead of rebuilt ......in a word ----- UGH ......!

[Terry Carmen]

Sure. They're not ball bearings they're bronze bearings surrounded by a felt wick.

You can clean them up and shoot a little lightweight oil into the hole next to the hole the shaft goes through and put a drop in the hole where the shaft goes, for both the front and rear, and it will be good for somewhere between 10 minutes and forever. 8-)

It will probably be a food fix, but it all really depends on how much damaged was already done.

No harm in trying!

"Zoom Spout Oil" is good for this. The link is to Amazon but you can get it cheaper locally.

Edited May 17, 2023 by Terry Carmen

[Vance R]

If the shaft is worn oil won't help for long.