Sebo X4 Motor Intermittent Noises

[JamieLincs]

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Last night our Sebo X4 started making a strange grinding noise. I took the brushroll out and the dustbag housing/handle secton off the base, did a quick clean and put it all back together again and it seemed fine.

This morning it worked for a while then it happened again, but now more constantly. So I took it apart fully to investigate properly.

The belts are in suprisingly excellent condition. At first it seemed like it might be the brushroll drive block bearing, but long story short, it's not, through a process of elimination and careful listening, it's definitely the main motor.

I've made a short video showing the motor brushes in action (at which point it's running cleanly) and then some clips of the noise coming and going. It's like a loud grinding noise coming from the main motor (even with nothing attached).

NB: The powering on and off in the video is me, it's not a fault.

I suspect a motor bearing is on the edge, but I just wondered what others think before I go off ordering parts. Is it likely just a bearing or something more sinister with the motor?

Basically, I'm wondering if new bearings and brushes would likely fix the problem given the commutator looks in similar condition to the one being refurbed in the Manchester Vacs video here: https://youtu.be/HP34-BRytsY

Thanks for any guidance on this.

[JamieLincs]

I took a few very close up macro shots of the motor commutator and carbon brushes:

     

[Sam1979]

I'd replace the brushes (sparking) and bearings and see, from other motors I've had apart over the years, but it's worth waiting for an X4/Domel motor expert to advise first. Not had one of these apart personally, although they are refreshingly easy to get to (having replaced a DC07 motor the other day).   

[JamieLincs]

Thank you @Sam1979

I’d love it if someone who knows these motors could chime in. It’s a somewhat weird noise as you could probably tell from the video, so I’m not 100% certain.

Just trying to figure out what I need to minimise postage and waste really. Fixing it either way (new motor, or bearings and brushes) is relatively easy. I just want to keep as much stuff out of landfill as possible if there’s no need.

Yes, the whole Sebo seems to have been built with servicing in mind; I’m actually impressed in that regard, which is very rare these days!

[Sam1979]

I'd be interested as well, like you say they're not hard to do but some prior knowledge of what usually still works and what might not would be really useful. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I opened a Sebo up - they do seem made to be repaired [and to go back together again - so much is effectively throw-away now].
 

[MVacs]

I just asked our engineer and showed him your video and photos.

He feels the top bearing is shot and the commutator *might* be OK. That would account for some of the noise there, and certainly the sparking. However, without replacing the top bearing and bench testing it, there is no other way to know if the commutator is too far gone or not. Only when the bearing is fixed and the armature runs true will you know if the sparking subsides.