Ceiling Fan Lubrication

[LittleDog]

I notice lately that a couple of my ceiling fans are making noise. It's not very loud and is easily to ignore but I was wondering how you can lubricate ceiling fans or whether I need a professional to do it.

Thanx

John

[villagetinker]

Interesting question. I did this up north, but have not looked at the fans down here. When I did this:
1. Turn off power, did I mention, turn off power!!
2. Remove blades as they typically need to come off to open case.
3. Tricky part, if you are really lucky, the case will open with 2 -3 bolts/screws removed. Then using an oiler with a long applicator apply to the bearings top and bottom. I used a good quality motor oil (30w).
4. Reassemble and test.

Since this is all done with the fan in place, you need to be very comfortable work from a ladder. The other way is to remove the fan from the ceiling, which is typically a 2 person job due to the weight of the fan, and do the lubrication on the workbench.

If you were really lucky, you might get away with WD-40 and a very careful spray job.

Just my thoughts, hope this helps.

OH did I mention, first thing, turn off the power??

[rjm1cc]

Check vendors web site to see if the bearings are sealed and can not be lubed.

[redwitch]

It could be that the blades are out of balance. Easy job to put on some clip-type weights to balance them.

[Bonanza]

Most ceiling fans today are self lubricating. I would not advise using anything to grease them up because that would probably do more harm than good.

If you don't have the balancing kit from when they were first installed, I would see if Lowe's or Home Depot sells them separately from their fans. My guess is that they are out of balance. Perhaps when you are at one of those stores, their personnel can give you some good information.

[villagetinker]

Good points on the balancing, I did not ask what type of noise you are hearing. Try running the fan at different speeds, if it is out of balance, it will act differently at different speeds. Also, if it is a balance problem that has developed recently, check the screws holding the blades in place, if these loosen, the fan balance is usually affected.

Good luck.

[Topspinmo]

Probably something worked loose. Like light bulbs or screws that hole the light fixtures around the bulbs. or housing cover screws. Last thought would be the socket (if that style has socket?) the holes the ceiling fan up. after years of use it rocks back and forth creating wear and the movement may be the noise you hear. I dough you could lubricate the bearings. as Stated they are usually 99.9% sealed on all ceiling fans made since the 70's. I would make sure every thing is tight before I started disassembling it.

[zcaveman]

I would call the guy!

If you every watched Two and a Half Men when the satellite disk needed adjusting you would know what this means.

Z

[LndLocked]

prob sealed for life bearings and effective lubrication is not possible .... never use WD-40 to lubricate anything ... it has usages but lubrication ain't one of them ( sold lubricants for Big Oil for 20+ years).

prob out of balance and I have had success correcting the problem with the balance kits about 75% of the time.

if it is one of the basic white builder grade fans that came with the casa ..... their is a very good chance that if the 75% balancing success rate comes through for you ... it is still only a matter of time before it is once again (and permanently) outta balance (bearings shot) and you will need to replace it.