Removing fan wheel from Squirrel cage blower motor?

Tim, there is probably 1 or 2 recessed allen set screws on the blower wheel.

Sometimes they are real hard to get off especially with out a hub puller.

Squirrel Cage Blower Wheel

With the blower assembly removed from the air handler. DO NOT HIT THE SHAFT WITH A HAMMER !

After you have the motor out, you should remove the mounting bracket from the motor. Be careful to note the orientation of the motor in he bracket. A penetrating oil on the shaft may help in removal such as BP Blaster.

To remove the motor from the blower assembly, start by loosening the set screw that attaches the wheel to the motor. Then remove the motor mounting bolts which hold the motor to the housing. You should be able to pull the motor out now.

After you have the motor out, you should remove the mounting bracket from the motor. Be careful to note the orientation of the motor in he bracket. Most are belly band motors. A ring with three brackets.

**NOTE** Some older units have the mounting brackets built into the motor. If this is the case, you will need to purchase the exact replacement or a motor and an adapter kit.

Now that you have the motor out, the next step in furnace blower replacement is selecting the proper replacement. Many motor manufacturers have web sites where you can take the number off the old motor and find the exact replacement.

If you are unable to find the exact replacement, you can usually use a universal replacement. Here is what you should look for and match:

1. type of drive( direct or belt)

2. motor diameter in inches (3.3, 5, 5.5, 6.5)

3. voltage (115,208-230,460)

4. horsepower (1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, 1)

5. speed in rpm

6. number of speeds available

7. direction of rotation (it is best to get a reversible one)

8. mounting method (typically a belly band)

9. size of run capacitor required ( this is important to any motor and should be replaced in all cases when the new motor is installed, never reuse the old one)

My furnace is an older Trane XE90 and the bearings went out on the blower motor during a cold snap at the end of the week. Didn't have time to order and wait for a hub puller so I improvised. Went to my local auto parts store and purchased the smallest muffler U bolt they had which was an "1 1/2. Also rented a basic auto puller (can be used for flywheels, bearing removal, etc.) and set it up to be a 2 claw puller (easier to work with). Got back home and removed the set screw from the hub and tightened the U bolt around the hub as high up as possible. Was then able to grab onto the U bolt with the puller and work the hub off of the blower motor. It takes a little bit of finessing to do and you might need to use one hand to help keep the claws of the puller on the U bolt but it does work in a pinch. Best part (besides the furnace working again) is that the rental of the puller ended up being free. I think I ended up spending $2 on the U bolt.

This Site Might Help You.

RE:

Removing fan wheel from Squirrel cage blower motor?

I'm working on a single speed direct drive squirrel cage blower that has a bad motor. I took the unit down and I'm trying to get the fan off of the drive so I can get to the motor screws underneath. The unit doesn't have a nut holding the fan onto the drive. I've tried pulling and...

look on the shaft for the wheel there is a set screw on it somewhere,it may be a reset hex head screw but there is one there, after you find it take it out or unscrew it enough so that you can move to the next step,which is taking a piece of emory cloth and remove all burs from the shaft,now that you've done that use a hammer with a plastic end on it or rubber,try hitting the end of the shaft enough to break it loose so the wheel will freely go up and down the shaft,if the hammer wont do it find a socket or something that will fit over the end of the shaft,then take a regular ball pen or a claw hammer and hit the end of the socket hard enough to break it loose,make sure not to swell the end of the shaft when breaking it loose,if you do then take the emory cloth and remove the swollen part from the end of the shaft.this should help you in removing the shaft from the wheel

Fan Blade Puller

Look carefully at the blower wheel and there will be 2 small cutouts on one of the vanes. It usually takes a long Allan wrench to get to these screws.

Your fan blade is held in place by what is called a woodruff key. You need a puller to take them off but try this trick first. Put a pair of vice grips on the shaft behind the blade and tighten. Now get a hammer and give a good blow to the end of the shaft. It should pop loose but if not try once more. If this doesn't work then you will require a puller. The problem is that there is a groove cut into the shaft and a half moon key inserted into the groove. On the blade hub there is a groove cut as well and it is tapered to make it tighter as it slides on. Like a friction fit you have to break that like a impact point. Good luck

Richard.

Squirrel Cage Fan Blades