How to Replace the Motor Bearings in an HVAC Heat Pump

Pulling the Motor

• 1

  Turn off the heat pump. Turn off the power supply to the heat pump.

• 2

  Locate the screws on the casing of the heat pump. Remove the screws with a screwdriver.

• 3

  Remove the casing from the heat pump manually. Keep the screws in a safe place.

• 4

  Locate the engine within the heat pump. The engine connects to the blower via rubber or a plastic belt. Find the belt and follow it from the blower to the engine.

• 5

  Remove the belt from the engine by manually slipping it off the engine head.

• 6

  Unscrew any bolts or screws in the brackets holding the engine in place.

• 7

  Remove the engine from the heat-pump casing with your hands. Place the engine on a flat surface that you don't mind getting dirty, such as an old towel laid over a work bench or garage floor.

Replacing the Bearings

• 8

  Dismantle the engine until you reach the motor bearings, using the schematic diagram as a guide. Schematic diagrams visually display how the engine fits together, and include the locations of all fasteners. Obtain an engine schematic from the manufacturer of your heat pump, or in the the HVAC heat-pump owner's manual. Many manuals do not contain schematic diagrams, though some do.

• 9

  Remove the old motor bearing using a bearing puller. Bearing pullers contain two long pincers and a handle. The pincers fit into the rim of the motor bearing and hook onto it, so you can remove the bearing without damaging the shaft or other parts of the engine.

• 10

  Lubricate the new motor bearing with oil or grease, using a rag or other nonabrasive cloth. Follow the engine manufacturer's instructions, as found in the owner's manual or printed on the engine, for the appropriate type of lubricant.

• 11

  Manually slide the new motor bearing into place.

• 12

  Place the bearing driver on top of the new bearing. A driver consists of a squat cylindrical metal tool that fits over the bearing.

• 13

  Push down on the bearing driver to securely insert the bearing in place. Tap the bearing driver gently with a driver if the job requires extra force.

Finishing

• 14

  Reassemble the engine, using the manufacturer's schematics as a guideline.

• 15

  Replace the engine in the heat-pump casing.

• 16

  Reinstall any screws, bolts or brackets placed in the heat pump to hold the engine in place.

• 17

  Manually slip the blower belt back over the engine head.

• 18

  Replace the HVAC heat-pump casing, or the metal framing elements that fit around the heat pump, to protect it. Attach the casing with screws you removed when removing the casing.