ceiling fan squeaks in the ball and socket

[dlwilson]

So Elaine has a condo with a squeaky fan. I looked at it, and found that the ball which sits inside the socket has some of its plastic coating worn off, and is squeaking inside the socket. I shot some white lithium in there, and pronounced it fixed. That was a couple days ago, today she mentioned that it is squeaking again.

I'm thinking about just shoving a piece of popsicle stick, or a matchstick in there, to hold the ball away from the socket at the wear point. Will that work? Is there a better way?

Also, I did check all the blades and brackets for looseness, and everything seems securely fastened. I'm not sure of root cause. Maybe out-of-balance blade?

 

[dadsEH]

Does it wobble??

 

[PoorOwner]

2 problems,
1) the fan should not move enough to move the ball that much. Try to balance it if you have a balance kit.

2) possibly, take off the fan and polish the mount and ball. They have a terrible spray
paint job on them or plastic coating. Check that the ball may have a groove on it which limit movement in one axis and it is aligned on the mount.
basically Remove and reinstall and check for defects, lube/wax what have you. Possibly cut little pieces of neoprene foam rubber may work.

3) or, replace fan with better fit and finish

 

[dlwilson]

The fan doesn't appear to wobble. I'll try balancing it. I've never used a balance kit.

I'll see if I can sand or polish the wear spot on the ball. Will also try rubber pad on the wear spot.

Replacing the fan is the final option. Thanks for all the comments.

 

[rlitman]

Not rubber. You want something slippery, like plastic from a cutting board.

 

[Cmreschke]

Instead of replacing the fan, you can always just get a new vall. Big box sells some universal aftermarket ones that fit most fans. Cheaper option to the whole fan.

 

[rlitman]

Instead of replacing the fan, you can always just get a new vall. Big box sells some universal aftermarket ones that fit most fans. Cheaper option to the whole fan.

That's an option.

I've used two styles of balls.

The typical aftermarket style uses a hemispherical ball with a groove along one meridian that engages with a key in the socket to keep the ball from spinning.

The Hunter fans I have use a trilobular ball without the groove and key. They also will not spin.

Just look closely at what you have socket wise before picking out a replacement.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Is it locked into the slot on the bracket?

 

[larry_g]

My mind wanders to the corner of a plastic milk carton. I think the milk carton could be cut in such a way that it would provide a bearing between the ball and socket. Hopefully the material is thin enough. The top corner of jug is already formed in a semicircle.

lg
no neat sig line