Remove and replace blower motor fan

[Mike NXP]

I thought for sure I've seen a thread on how to do this somewhere but no luck. Only motor + fan replacements .

Has anyone removed the fan and swapped it to a new motor ? I think the fan is just seized on the shaft. Might just reinstall this and move on for now probably going to break the fan.

It's got a clamp that easily comes off but then it looks like there's a small plastic tab holding it on to the shaft. I've bent it back and tried to pry the fan up but it's on there pretty good.

 

[Mike NXP]

It looks like I can't even buy the fan cage on it's own ? Does anyone know how to track down the part number for the fan cage if I wanted to just replace it?

 

[Mike NXP]

It looks like some folks over on the 80 series forums managed to get it removed so its possible
>>Blower Motor Disassembly Question - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/blower-motor-disassembly-question.1217989/post-13219576

I would say 95% chance I break something

They also claim new fan cages are still available but that was 6 years ago =/

 

[darrenk]

I replaced mine last month. The fan cage is really on there. I had two of my kids help - one held the motor, one held the cage, I then used a hammer to GENTLY tap on the shaft to get the cage off. If you are not putting force while you tap, you will push the shaft out the bottom of the motor (and crack the plastic housing).
The motor on my fan was making a terrible noise as the commutator was really worn. I grabbed one from pick n pull from a 4runner (96-02). The fan cage on the runner is about 1/2 inch shorter, so I put my old cage on the 4runner motor.

 

[Mike NXP]

I replaced mine last month. The fan cage is really on there. I had two of my kids help - one held the motor, one held the cage, I then used a hammer to GENTLY tap on the shaft to get the cage off. If you are not putting force while you tap, you will push the shaft out the bottom of the motor (and crack the plastic housing).
The motor on my fan was making a terrible noise as the commutator was really worn. I grabbed one from pick n pull from a 4runner (96-02). The fan cage on the runner is about 1/2 inch shorter, so I put my old cage on the 4runner motor.

Sweet, thanks for the reply.

Yeah its amazing how much easier things get when you ask for help. After breaking the plastic tab off my cage I asked my wife to hold the cage .

I sprayed a little bit of silicone lube on the shaft and then used a small punch in the center of the shaft and whacked it a few times. It actually came off pretty easy when force is applied properly .

Before that I was just like prying and yanking and stuff making zero progress.

The broke tab doesn't seem to be a big deal, the new cage pressed on pretty tightly and isn't going anywhere