My MaxxAir fan had been squeaky for a while and I felt that its motor was getting weak or wearing out.
Recently, I was alarmed to find that it had stopped by itself when I had the speed setting at its lowest, where the motor was at its least powerful and couldn't turn the fan anymore.
I could get the fan going again by removing the screen and giving the fan a push. If I had the speed at setting 2 or 3, it could maintain the motion but the noise would be louder and I didn't like that.
It sounded like the cause was internal friction as there was also a minor grinding noise. So I decided to see if the motor could be fixed instead of spending over $100 USD on a new one.
Followed this very helpful video:
The Allen wrench key to use is 3/32 (he mentioned 2.5mm in the video but a commenter said it was too loose).
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I cut the wires to the motor so that I didn't have to do the cleaning operation with my hands over my head and get the very fine dirt particles everywhere in the van (and maybe into my eyes).
![Image]()
I don't have a picture of this but the video showed the man using a special pair of pliers to get a snap ring off the shaft. I didn't have one so I used an awl and a screwdriver pick to pull the snap ring apart enough to get it off the shaft while having the shaft being clamped in a vice.
Edit: I took a screenshot of the pliers in the video:
![Image]()
The inside of the motor was filthy. It seemed to be the dust from the brushes wearing.
![Image]()
I vacuumed all the dust away.
![Image]()
To join the wires I cut earlier back together, I used a type of connector that @83Grumman kindly recommended for something else and I had a bagful lying around. I can't remember what they are called but they worked well. Easy to make the connections with just a screwdriver and they plug together easily.
![Image]()
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Another nice thing about using these connectors is that I will likely have to do this cleaning procedure again because of the way MaxxAir orientates the motor. The brush mechanism is at the top of the motor so all the wear-and-tear dust sprinkles down and onto the armature of the motor and will cause more squeaking and weakening of the fan.
The next fan removal will thus be easier.
![Image]()
I cleaned up the fan shroud a bit and mounted the motor. Then fastened the connectors with twist ties. I could have used zip ties but then I'd have to cut them next time which seems wasteful.
![Image]()
The fan spins well now and is much quieter.
It's not completely noise-free however. The MaxxAir was never truly silent, not even when new. You could always hear some kind of rubbing. Maybe it's because of the brush style of motor.
![Image]()
Cost: $0 plus maybe 40 min of my time going slowly and pondering each move (my normal mode of doing things). Quite a dirty job though.
Recently, I was alarmed to find that it had stopped by itself when I had the speed setting at its lowest, where the motor was at its least powerful and couldn't turn the fan anymore.
I could get the fan going again by removing the screen and giving the fan a push. If I had the speed at setting 2 or 3, it could maintain the motion but the noise would be louder and I didn't like that.
It sounded like the cause was internal friction as there was also a minor grinding noise. So I decided to see if the motor could be fixed instead of spending over $100 USD on a new one.
Followed this very helpful video:
The Allen wrench key to use is 3/32 (he mentioned 2.5mm in the video but a commenter said it was too loose).
I cut the wires to the motor so that I didn't have to do the cleaning operation with my hands over my head and get the very fine dirt particles everywhere in the van (and maybe into my eyes).
I don't have a picture of this but the video showed the man using a special pair of pliers to get a snap ring off the shaft. I didn't have one so I used an awl and a screwdriver pick to pull the snap ring apart enough to get it off the shaft while having the shaft being clamped in a vice.
Edit: I took a screenshot of the pliers in the video:
The inside of the motor was filthy. It seemed to be the dust from the brushes wearing.
I vacuumed all the dust away.
To join the wires I cut earlier back together, I used a type of connector that @83Grumman kindly recommended for something else and I had a bagful lying around. I can't remember what they are called but they worked well. Easy to make the connections with just a screwdriver and they plug together easily.
Another nice thing about using these connectors is that I will likely have to do this cleaning procedure again because of the way MaxxAir orientates the motor. The brush mechanism is at the top of the motor so all the wear-and-tear dust sprinkles down and onto the armature of the motor and will cause more squeaking and weakening of the fan.
The next fan removal will thus be easier.
I cleaned up the fan shroud a bit and mounted the motor. Then fastened the connectors with twist ties. I could have used zip ties but then I'd have to cut them next time which seems wasteful.
The fan spins well now and is much quieter.
It's not completely noise-free however. The MaxxAir was never truly silent, not even when new. You could always hear some kind of rubbing. Maybe it's because of the brush style of motor.
Cost: $0 plus maybe 40 min of my time going slowly and pondering each move (my normal mode of doing things). Quite a dirty job though.
