Drainer Cleaner: Bad Vibration

If a bearing started to wear and was left untreated, it will keep wearing and build up play; causing a bad vibration. To check the condition of your bearings inside your drain cleaner, remove the cable from the drum by pulling it out. Then, remove the screws along the perimeter of the drum. Separate the two halves of the drum. Remove the crown nut, washer and the rear drum. Clear off the screws on the gear case – you may have to gently tap it off, or use a puller.

Now, separate the two halves of the handles and locate the brush caps. Remove the brush caps with the brushes. Pull the armature out of the unit and place it in a vice. Use a bearing puller to remove the bearings. Install the new bearing by using a socket big enough to go on the outside of the race (on the bearing). Gently tap in place with a hammer.

Once completed, reinstall the armature back in the housing as well as the brush holders and brushes. Reassemble the handle back together. Reinstall the gear case followed by the rear drum, the crown nut (with washer) and reattach the front portion of the drum. Reconnect the cable by pulling up on the power grip shield, inserting the cable in the drum. Use an up-and-down motion until the cable begins to bend and starts to install in the drum. Install the entire cable with the grip shield in the “up” position.

To replace the needle bearings in the gear case, follow the above procedure until you have reached the gear case. Once you have removed the gear case, open it up. You can now remove the two needle bearings inside the gear case and replace with new ones. Reassemble the gear case.

A bushing is a metal lining for a round hold, usually one that an axle revolves in. A bushing and bearing perform the same tasks, with different levels of complexity. The bushing is at the simplest – a tube in between the two parts. A bearing might use a race of balls or rollers. See “bearings” for diagnostics, removal and replacement.

A bent auger cable will cause the drain cleaner to have a bad vibration. To replace a bent auger cable, use bolt cutters to cut out the bent section of the cable. Pull the wire core out an inch, or so, with pliers and use a cut-off wheel to cut the end off. Next, use a nail set to push the core back in, allowing you to make room for the core. Repeat this procedure on the other end of the cable. Smooth out both ends of the cable with a grinding wheel, then insert the cable in the bench vice to hold it in place. Use vice grips to lock on to the splicing core, then apply Loctite. When applying Loctite to the splicing core, only a few drops are needed.

Now, install it in the cable by rotating it on, all the way to the center of the splicing core. Move the cable in the bench vice so it is flush with the end of the vice. Lock the other cable in the vice grips and apply Loctite to the other end of the splicing core. Install it on the splicing core by rotating the cable. Once the cables are reattached, file the joint smooth. Once completed, reinstall the rear drum, the crown nut (with washer), then reattach the front portion of the drum. Reconnect the cable by pulling up on the power grip shield, inserting the cable in the drum. Use an up-and-down motion until the cable begins to bend and starts to install in the drum. Install the entire cable with the grip shield in the “up” position.

The retaining ring is used to take up end-play and acts as a spring, or preload, on parts to reduce chatter or vibration. These rings are either bowed or beveled. The check the retaining ring on the chuck end, simply remove it with pliers. Lay on a flat surface to check for flatness. If it is bent or wrapped, replace it.

To check the condition of the retaining ring on the gear case, remove the cable from the drum. Remove the screws along the perimeter of the drum. Separate the two halves of the drum. Take out the crown nut, washer, and the rear drum. Check for play on the gear case and replace the retaining ring if there is noticeable play. Pull out the retaining rings with pliers and lay on a flat surface, checking for a bent ring or wrapped edge. Replace if necessary.

Reinstall the rear drum, the crown nut (with washer), then reattach the front portion of the drum. Reconnect the cable by pulling up on the power grip shield, inserting the cable in the drum. Use an up-and-down motion until the cable begins to bend and starts to install in the drum. Install the entire cable with the grip shield in the “up” position.