<p>Bearings generally last much longer than the rest of the motors with how often we crash. If you notice a rougher noise or the motor doesn’t feel smooth when you spin it, that’s a sign your bearings might be shot.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-21T03:46:10.847Z
2020-04-21T03:46:10.847Z
Spencer
<p>Learning how to replace bearings is a skill worth having.  </p>

<p>It doesn't take much slop in a bearing to add a lot of noise to the gyro signal, and that will be amplified by the PIDs, causing hot motors or reduced performance.  </p>

<p>If the quad is a high-performance or cinematic machine, its best to replace bearings as soon as they sound rattly or get free play in the bearings.</p>

<p>For everyday park fliers, it matters a lot less.  The correct answer is that you change them according to your ability to do the job, and the need for it.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-29T06:27:20.043Z
2020-04-29T06:27:20.043Z
ctzsnooze
<p>In addition to what Spencer mentioned, as bearings wear out they will get "sloppy" or loose. Grab the bell gently and rock it back and forth (perpendicular to the rotation axis). If it moves it may be wearing out. Do this on a new motor for a point of reference.</p>

<p>I had a motor that sounded really bad. Wasn't getting hotter than the rest and seemed to fly ok. Rocked the bell and was amazed at how loose the bearings were. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-21T04:16:08.070Z
2020-04-21T04:16:08.070Z
WormBurner
<p>I recommend replacing bearings in a motor only if the motor has been discontinued and you really love the motors. Otherwise, it's much easier to just replace the motor with a new one.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-21T05:58:12.507Z
2020-04-21T05:58:12.507Z
tavis
<p>When, if ever, should I replace the bearings in my drone's brushless motors? Are there signs that a motor needs new bearings?</p>

<brushless-motors><maintenance><motor-bearings>
When to replace bearings in a brushless motors?
Jacob B
# When to replace bearings in a brushless motors?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-04-21)

When, if ever, should I replace the bearings in my drone's brushless motors? Are there signs that a motor needs new bearings?

**Tags:** brushless-motors, maintenance, motor-bearings


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## 4 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-04-21. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Bearings generally last much longer than the rest of the motors with how often we crash. If you notice a rougher noise or the motor doesn’t feel smooth when you spin it, that’s a sign your bearings might be shot.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2020-04-29. Score: 4

Learning how to replace bearings is a skill worth having.

It doesn't take much slop in a bearing to add a lot of noise to the gyro signal, and that will be amplified by the PIDs, causing hot motors or reduced performance.

If the quad is a high-performance or cinematic machine, its best to replace bearings as soon as they sound rattly or get free play in the bearings.

For everyday park fliers, it matters a lot less. The correct answer is that you change them according to your ability to do the job, and the need for it.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2020-04-21. Score: 3

In addition to what username_1 mentioned, as bearings wear out they will get "sloppy" or loose. Grab the bell gently and rock it back and forth (perpendicular to the rotation axis). If it moves it may be wearing out. Do this on a new motor for a point of reference.

I had a motor that sounded really bad. Wasn't getting hotter than the rest and seemed to fly ok. Rocked the bell and was amazed at how loose the bearings were.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2020-04-21. Score: 2

I recommend replacing bearings in a motor only if the motor has been discontinued and you really love the motors. Otherwise, it's much easier to just replace the motor with a new one.


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