How to Replace the Armature Bearing on a DeWALT Circular Saw

Power tools use many bearings to allow various components to rotate. Over time, a ball bearing will wear and begin to fail. A bearing that is failing will usually give warning, often with a squeaking or squealing sound.

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REMOVING THE ARMATURE BEARING   1. Remove the top half of the handle.

a. Remove the screws securing the top half of the handle assembly to the lower half.

b. Lift the top half of the handle away from the assembly.

  2. Remove the end cap.

a. Remove the two screws securing the end cap to the field case.

b. Remove the end cap.

  3. Remove the motor brushes.

a. Remove the brush caps.

b. Remove the motor brushes from the brush holders.

  4. Remove the field case and the lower handle.

a. Remove the screw securing the lower handle to the gear housing.

b. Remove the four screws securing the field case to the gear housing.

c. Use a screwdriver to gently pry the field case away from the gear housing.

d. Lift the field case and the lower handle away from the saw.

  5. Remove the armature.

a. Grasp and rock the armature assembly side-to-side to disengage it from the O-ring in the gear housing.

b. Remove the armature assembly from the saw.

  6. Remove the armature bearing.

a. Use a flush-end bearing puller to remove the armature bearing from the armature.

INSTALLING THE NEW ARMATURE BEARING

  7. Install the armature bearing.

a. Place the new ball bearing on the armature shaft.

b. Use a socket and a rubber mallet to tap the new bearing into position.

REASSEMBLING THE UNIT

  8. Reinstall the armature.

a. Install the armature assembly onto the gear housing.

b. Press the armature firmly into the gear housing to seat the bearing in the O-ring.

  9. Reinstall the field case.

a. Install the field case and the lower handle assembly onto the gear housing.

b. Secure the field case with the four screws.

c. Secure the lower handle assembly with the screw.

  10. Reinstall the top half of the handle.

a. Tuck any exposed wiring into the lower handle assembly.

b. Install the top half of the handle.

c. Secure the top half of the handle with the screws.

  11. Reinstall the motor brushes.

a. Install the motor brushes into the brush holders.

b. Secure the motor brushes with the brush caps.

  12. Reinstall the end cap.

a. Install the end cap.

b. Secure the end cap with the two screws.