cast iron Hunter dropped

[Bonnie]

I bought a new Hunter 52" 5-blade last fall but the electrician dropped it. It was fine for a while... I think. (Seasons changed and I'm using it more.) About 2 months ago, an intermittent noise began that occurs about every 45 seconds and last for about 5-10 seconds. If I play with the fly wheel, push it up and down, sometimes it won't recur for a whole week. It's a slight scraping noise. If I run the fan in reverse for winter settings, it scrapes continuously. I think a bearing got smashed? Is there anyway to repair this at home? I don't want to throw it away. Bonnie

[Fanman]

First, I would call the electrician and tell him about the problem. If he won't do anything call Hunter and ask them. If those two avenues don't work I guess you could repair it yourself. I don't know much about the insides of these.

[Bonnie]

Yes, I've oiled it with 10 weight non-detergent more than once lately and put a little baggy under the cone with a rubber band to collect overflow. Scott from Dan's Fan City gave me some clues... saying the ball bearings may have been smashed. Now if I run this 3-speed 52" on low, it makes a slight scrape every evolution. If on medium, it scrapes every 50 seconds or so for about 8-10 seconds. If on high, no scraping at all (perfect) but it nearly blows me out of bed. This winter I'll take it down and disect it. The electrician does not return my calls so I'll do something. I'm just looking for clues on where to start.

I collect cast iron originals but have never had the guts to take one apart. I've got two little ones, three mediums, and 4 biggies. Not all are up. Several were bought new and several were acquired 2nd hand for almost nothing. Some of the 2nd hand ones probably need cleaning out. Did someone write they flushed one out with WD40, refilled, and now it's great?

I really would like to find a diagram and study it... but maybe I should just take one apart. I don't know why I'm fascinated with these fans. I'm glad I found this site. Bonnie

[kelly]

hey brian how r u doing haven't talked to u in a while how have u been

[Bonnie]

I have a total of 7 cast iron originals here. Four are hung and working. Three down.

Two 36" - Both are hung and working in small rooms but have a hum or vibration that is a little distracting. Little Brown 36" has the old blades than you twist to reverse, is a 2 speed, and slings little specks of oil on the walls. Little White 36" just has the annoying hum but is more modern... has the reverse switch, 2 speed.

Two 52" - Big Brown 52" has only 1 speed, blades that need to twist to reverse, but is a great fan.
Big White 52" is the one that was dropped, bought new at Home Depot, 3 speed, my only 5 blade.

I've got a 52" ancient body ... like a 1930's looking model as seen on YouTube, that I have no idea if it will run.

I have a white 42", 4 blade, w reverse switch, that I labeled "bad" some 10 years ago. I found it at a construction site in Florida. Probably dropped.

I hauled many of these around for years. Get this! My last find was a big brown on someone's curb about 5 weeks ago... with 95% of the parts. I was so excited. OK. I'll email you now. Thank you! Bonnie

[Deleted]

I would love to buy the 42" and the 1930s.

First of all, your Electrician owes you a new fan.

I agree with everyone else that it is likely that the shaft and/or bearings were bent when it was dropped. Probably not fixable unless Hunter will replace the parts, I believe you will have to replace the entire housing, but I could be wrong. BRIAN WILL KNOW. Did you email him?

[Andrew G.]

If the motor housing breaks or if the shaft is bent, you're pretty much screwed.

[Bonnie]

OK, sorry for the absence. I took a course and now free to take this fan down and disect. Will post when I find out what is wrong with it.

[bob b]

Hi Bonnie,

You can easily take an Original apart.

1. Take the fan down.
2. Take the face plate off with a philips screwdriver.
3. You now have access to the motor.

To get to the hanging system and take down the fan:

1. Take the two halves of the "cracked-style" canopy apart.
2. Unscrew the wire nuts and take apart the wires.
3. Remove the fan and mounting bracket (the thing holding the heavy fan onto the ceiling)
4. Call Hunter for new fan blades. The model # of your fan is 23856 and the price is $299.00. Hunter sent me new blades and they worked on my fan. Their customer service phone # is (888)-830-1326. Press the button for ceiling fan service, and have the model # ready for the rep.