Oscillating Tool: Bad Vibration
If your oscillating tool has bad vibration, take a closer look at the fan, bearing, and drive shaft. Once you have pinpointed the part that needs to be fixed, read our guide for tips on how to complete the repair yourself. Reference your owner's manual for further information on your model.
To replace the lower bearing, remove the rubber ring with a bearing puller. Note: not all models will have this vibration-absorbing ring. Clean the shaft and install a new bearing using a socket and a hammer and tap in place. The socket must only make contact with the...
To replace the lower bearing, remove the rubber ring with a bearing puller. Note: not all models will have this vibration-absorbing ring. Clean the shaft and install a new bearing using a socket and a hammer and tap in place. The socket must only make contact with the bearings inner race to avoid damage to the bearing. Reinstall the rubber ring. To replace the upper bearing, use a bearing puller or a bearing separator, if clearance is an issue. Install the new bearing by placing a socket that only makes contact with the bearings inner race to avoid damage to the bearing. Tap in place with a hammer. Reinstall the brushes if you had to remove them when the tool was open, or reinstall once it is all back together (if it has brush caps). Finally, reinstall in the housing and reassemble the housing back together.
Replacement of the shaft bearings will vary from model to model. To replace the shaft bearing, open the tool housing. Lift the drive shaft out of the tool. You may have to lift up on the motor to release the drive shaft. Remove any other parts on the drive shaft to reach the bearing. Remove the bearing with a puller and install a new bearing with a socket. Tap in place with a hammer. Only use a socket that will make contact with the inner bearing race to avoid damage. Reinstall any parts that you had to take off to reach the bearing and reassemble to drive shaft back into the housing. Finally, reassemble the housing.
Not all models have brush caps and the brushes cannot be removed until the housing is open. Remove the screws securing the two halves of the housing together and separate. On some models, separate the head from the main housing of the tool. Remove the armature from the housing. Clean the fan of any debris and inspect it for chips (or cracks) in the fan blades, missing fan blades or anything else out of the ordinary. To replace the fan, remove the bearing with...
Not all models have brush caps and the brushes cannot be removed until the housing is open. Remove the screws securing the two halves of the housing together and separate. On some models, separate the head from the main housing of the tool. Remove the armature from the housing. Clean the fan of any debris and inspect it for chips (or cracks) in the fan blades, missing fan blades or anything else out of the ordinary. To replace the fan, remove the bearing with a puller or a separator, if clearance is an issue. Remove any clips that may be securing the fan on the shaft, then pull the fan off of the shaft. Install a new fan and reassemble.
When reinstalling the bearings, make sure you use a socket that only makes contact with the bearings inner race, to avoid damaging the bearing, and tap in place with a hammer. Reinstall the armature into the housing and reassemble the housing. Reinstall the brushes and caps.