Washer brushes needed

[Steve B.]

I have a frigidaire model # FST449GFS2 front loader washing machine that is about six years old. Up until now it has been a pretty good washer. Last weekend the main motor failed and needs new brushes... Only problem is nobody in this country carrys the brushes. This is an FHP motor and the brush number is 1603910. I have found them in Great Britain but nowhere in the US.

Maybe I'm showing my age but is seems silly to replace a $200 motor because it needs $20 in brushes. Any one know where I can get the brushes and save throwing out the whole machine?

Steve B.

[hallerb]

some hardware stores sell universal brushes, take one of your bad ones along for comparison.

small indenpendent hardware store not the big box home depot

[hallerb]

some hardware stores sell universal brushes, take one of your bad ones along for comparison.

small indenpendent hardware store not the big box home depot

[mm]

Baltimore has 2 motor repair places. I am sure either would have a broad assortment of brushes. If you live near a city, you can probably find something similar. I would suggest you bring the whole motor and all the numbers with you. Even though they may just look at it and give you what matches, numbers help.

One is called Motor Repair something. Easy to find in the alphabetical section.

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

[hallerb]

brushes are fairly soft, if they are close in size you might be able to file them...

[hallerb]

brushes are fairly soft, if they are close in size you might be able to file them...

[willshak]

Check your Yellow pages. Look for electric motor repair. I replaced the brushes in my Central vacuum cleaner motor with brushes bought at a local Elec. motor repair shop. I gave him the worn brush and he went to a cabinet and came back with a matching pair. I was in and out in a minute.

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, Once I shaped up brush pair with file to make it fit in a motor. Couldn't find exact replacement. They workedalright. Tony

[Steve B.]

I wish it were this easy. The brush is in a special plastic holder that is sealed... The only way to open it is to break it.. I have to match to the original part which so far has shown to only be available from a few sources in Great Britain. My local electrical shop guys can match the brush itself but not the plastic carrier assembly which must also be replaced.

Steve B.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Can the carrier be cut open, then resealed? Sounds like the motor guys want to keep selling very profitable replacement parts instead of cheap universal replacements.

[George E. Cawthon]

How did you get the idea that brushes cost $20. The cost of a pair of brushes is about $5 for any motor which is highway robbery since they really cost less than $0.50 each. Any electric motor repair shop should have brushes that would fit.

[mm]

Or use a small saw, or a hot knife (a soldering iron attahcment (cheap).)

Edwin is right.

You may be able to cut off a little tab where the brush comes out, that is meant to keep the brush from coming out all the way. Then it will be a bit harder to assemble the motor, but there are ways to hold the brushes back while you do so. Dental picks, paper clips with a bend at the very end, etc. Plastic bread bag twist ties.

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

[BobK207]

do washer motors even have have brushes?

in my experience they have not......

maybe the front loaders do? but I doubt it

try

but they don't recognize your m/n

cheers Bob

[Steve B.]

I was surprised to see them there as well. The frigidaire model used a brush DC motor though. seems that it was a popular thing to do on the front loaders for a while.

They don't have them. Thanx for the link though.

Steve