How to reassemble electric motor

[Epicurean]

Can anyone give me advice on reassembling the motor for my TMC electric head? I took it apart to clean the grooves in the commutator. Specifically, how do you keep the carbon brushes apart so the shaft can go in between? Except for a corrosion hole it's sealed with no openings to the outside. I tried tieing the brushes open with dental floss and cutting the floss after the shaift gets between the 2 brushes, but I then couldn't get the floss out.

[Cheechako]

Various ways. Usually I use a thin screwdriver or even knife blade to hold each brush against it's spring just enough to slide the commutator in far enough to catch the edge of the brush holding it with the commutator cocked slightly. Then carefully do the other side.

A smarter way is some narrow slick vinyl tape holding each brush in by taping the vinyl tape onto the outside of the motor body. Put the commutator in and slide the tape out. (Something like some old cassette tape taken out of a cassette. ) Or even waxed sail thread may work.

Every one is a bit different, some harder some easier...

[Epicurean]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Various ways. Usually I use a thin screwdriver or even knife blade to hold each brush against it's spring just enough to slide the commutator in far enough to catch the edge of the brush holding it with the commutator cocked slightly. Then carefully do the other side.

A smarter way is some narrow slick vinyl tape holding each brush in by taping the vinyl tape onto the outside of the motor body. Put the commutator in and slide the tape out. (Something like some old cassette tape taken out of a cassette. )

Thanks, but I think one picture wasn't enough to show the situation. The end cap pretty much blocks access to the brushes and springs before they slip over the commutator. No way to get anything in there.

[paulajayne]

Compress the springs and tie with cotton thread, reassemble and cut threads.

Or loop thread around the wire on the brushes - put them back as you assemble.

[Epicurean]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Various ways. Usually I use a thin screwdriver or even knife blade to hold each brush against it's spring just enough to slide the commutator in far enough to catch the edge of the brush holding it with the commutator cocked slightly. Then carefully do the other side.

A smarter way is some narrow slick vinyl tape holding each brush in by taping the vinyl tape onto the outside of the motor body. Put the commutator in and slide the tape out. (Something like some old cassette tape taken out of a cassette. ) Or even waxed sail thread may work.

Every one is a bit different, some harder some easier...

But maybe I'll drill some small holes in the end cap to run some fine thread through to hold the springs open and then pull it out after the commutator is partially in.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Epicurean

Thanks, but I think one picture wasn't enough to show the situation. The end cap pretty much blocks access to the brushes and springs before they slip over the commutator. No way to get anything in there.

Yeah I know, but there's always a way, although it's usually frustrating as heck!
But that's why the "vinyl strip" thing works. It's maybe .010" thick and taped in place outside until you slide things in.

[wholybee]

Originally Posted by Epicurean

Thanks, but I think one picture wasn't enough to show the situation. The end cap pretty much blocks access to the brushes and springs before they slip over the commutator. No way to get anything in there.

You are assembling it in the wrong order. Remove the motor from the pump. Remove gear or whatever from the shaft. Then remove the armature from the motor. Insert the armature into the end cap with the brushes. Then install the armature and end cap back into the housing.