The ball bearing well (housing) for the MAMCO ES-176 motor used in the Craftsman Electric Mini-Tiller-21A-154A799 ( 316.292600 ) is facing the armature (the open side is facing the armature) and a spring retainer over the ball bearing in the opening is keeping it in place. This spring retainer may not be able to restrain the bearing when overheated and become dislodged and cause itself and the armature along with the ball bearing to move towards the back or brush end of the motor. This may cause the overload switch on the handle of the tiller to pop out and may eventually cause the motor to burn out. It may be possible to secure the spring retainer in place by drilling four 1/32=94 holes near the rim of this ball bearing well and secure the spring retainer in place by inserting two wires or paperclips through these holes (one wire for two holes) and wrapping the ends over the ventilation slots.
- posted
15 years ago