Pool pump motor seal removal

[stonesfan68]

I am in the middle of putting new bearings in the pool pump. I pulled the stator and the rear bearing without any problems.



I am trying to figure out how to remove the garter seal from the motor flange.



Does anybody have any suggestions? I am guessing that once the seal is pulled that I am going to have to get a replacement part. Where would I be able to buy a new seal?

Thanks.

 

[Provincial]

Normally on an electric motor you pull the end plates to remove the bearings. Once the end plate is off, you can get at the back side to press the seal out.

Is there a retainer behind (between the seal and the bearing) the seal attaching the bearing to the shaft?

 

[stonesfan68]

It appears that the bearing is installed inside of the end plate. If you look at this picture the end plate is first, followed by the plastic cooling fan.

There's a snap-ring behind the cooling fan. I can't see anything between the cooling fan and motor end plate.



Should I remove the seal and then pull off the bearing/end plate?

 

[POOLPUMPREPAIRGUY]

parts are front and rear end bell rotor,stator,wobble washer(spring washer) and two bearings. the bearing usually stay on the rotor during the disassemble, but it sounds like in your case the bearing is stuck in the end bell, it can be removed with a chisel threw the center hole but bust be done carefully as not to damage the end bell. you must remove the retainer ring or clips on the end bell 1 or two 1/4 inch screws or flat heads first
the mechanical shaft seal pulls off of the shaft, and in some cases can be frozen onto the shaft. i recommend a new shaft seal every time you repair a motor, chances are that's why the motor bearings have gone bad. that being said do what ya got to to get the seal off.
hear at my shop I have a $ 6,000 press to install the bearings on the rotor. and motor repair cost about $75 and includes a shaft seal, I only do repairs for local customers no shipping.
look on ebay for the shaft seal for your pump, there is good ones and bad ones, look for the seals from the pool pump whisperer there the best .
AND REMEMBER TO PRIME THAT PUMP AFTER ANY REPAIR !

 

[POOLPUMPREPAIRGUY]

it appears that the bearing is installed inside of the end plate. If you look at this picture the end plate is first, followed by the plastic cooling fan.

There's a snap-ring behind the cooling fan. I can't see anything between the cooling fan and motor end plate.



should i remove the seal and then pull off the bearing/end plate?

yikes your in a pickle with that one, just seen picture. Look in your area for a electric motor service and see if they can remove it for you

 

[jhelrey]

You need to remove the rest of the pump assembly and the seal will come off with it. That seal keeps water from entering the motor. You will need to replace it.

 

[stonesfan68]

How do I go about removing the rest of the assembly? Do I bang it off with a dead blow hammer or pull it off with a puller?

 

[POOLPUMPREPAIRGUY]

How do I go about removing the rest of the assembly? Do I bang it off with a dead blow hammer or pull it off with a puller?

THAT END BELL IS SOOOO FRAGILE YOU COULD TRY SOME HEAT ON IT AROUND THE bearing area on the end bell and than carefully taping on it one side then the other. I have found that it's super easy to damage or break this type of end bell, I have a case that I stick in my press that allows even pressure on the end bell. be sure not to melt the fan and be careful not to hit it when strike it with a hammer. if you break the fan, it's toast
did you remove the bearing retainer screws ?

 

[POOLPUMPREPAIRGUY]

It appears that the bearing is installed inside of the end plate.

end bell, no it slips into the end bell, and is has 1,2 or 3 retainer screws. the rear bearing floats and is why it came right out.
this is why I say to heat the end bell just around the bearing, this expands the metal allowing for a better chance of the end bell releasing it grip on the bearing, witch might have water damage and is why it's being a pain to come apart. that looks like a GE motor you have ? nock on wood I don't work on many of them
I have just seen there is such a thing as a wifi camera, I'm looking at one but it's 350.00 at SAMS but it sure would help me help you guys on solving issues. it takes to long to use my other camera, and as you could imagine I'm swamped this time of year in Florida fix'n motors

 

[stonesfan68]

It is actually an Emerson motor. I took it over to a motor supplier that we use at work (we buy lots of motors from them) and the shop foreman tapped on the end bell with a dead blow hammer and the end bell came off without too much trouble. It pays to know what you are doing!

I suspect that when my pump shaft seal failed that water leaked past the garter seal into the motor and caused the aluminum housing to "gall" and the bearing became rusted to the end bell.

The guy also pulled the front bearing and installed both new bearings for me, all in about 20-minutes. It pays to know what your are doing, and to have the correct tools for the job.

I'm going to have to leave the current seal in place because it appears to be metric and I cannot find one in stock. My pool is turning green so I need to get the water circulating and generating chlorine again.

Thanks for all of the help. I should be back in business in a couple of hours.

 

[POOLPUMPREPAIRGUY]

FYI you can use a small submersible pump to keep the water moving while you do repairs, I used to loan them out, but customers would drag there tails about coming in to pick up there pumps, sometimes weeks. the green factor motivates them to get there pump. 1 more thing the pump you want to have is the good old STA RITE DURA GLASS . uses a square flange motor and are more robust and easier to repair. use never seize on the bolts on your motor so you can repair it in the future. good for you glad ya got it run'n.

 

[stonesfan68]

Yes, everything is back together and running.

I'll have to remember the small submersible pump for the next go-around.

Thanks again for the help.