jet drum sander clicking/squawking

[Michael Imbler]

I've noticed my 10-20 is making more noise especially as it coast down (the drum). It makes a squawking or clicking noise that is rpm dependent, but is quieter at speed and gets noisier until it coast to a stop on shut down. I "think" it is the bearing. Has anyone had to replace the drum bearing? And if you have is it as simple as removing the two bolts and circlip and sliding it off? Thanks for any help!
Mike

[Bob Hammond]

bearings, likely

[Todd Stock]

Hit with WD40...if it quiets down, def the shaft bearing and easy replacement. If under warranty, (five years for non-commercial use), Jer will ship part to you for free. Other 10-20 Maint stuff: open the feed belt gear box and check for adequate grease and good distribution around pinion gear, etc., with every 50 hours of use and lube elevation screw with lithium grease every month or so (it is a weak point in the design, and some sanders got an undersized threading that makes the problem worse).

[Michael Imbler]

thanks for the replies,
I tried WD40 per Todd's suggestion, and that didn't help, but it is a sealed bearing so I don't know if any would get in. Since it didn't help, I tried removing the coupling screws and replacing and retightening them in case it had gotten tweaked somehow. It may be coincidence, but 95 percent of the noise went away when I did this.
I did go ahead and order the bearing in case this didn't solve it. I'm just barely out of warranty, but I thought the price was fair.
Thanks for the other maintenance tips, I'm going to start doing them regularly as I really like this machine and use it as much or more than any other in the shop,
Mike

[David Hutson]

It sounds like a bad bearing and it should be a sealed bearing, If it is easy to remove do so and cut the seal away and clean it thoroughly in solvent gas what ever then pack new bearing grease in it, do this to only one side so that you leave one good seal to face up or out toward the dirtys. If you don't remove it and you can see the bearing try to rip the rubber seal with a hooked scratch awl or something, Then try to get some lube to it, preferably motor oil or something heaver than WD 40. If it hasn't been chattering long and you can keep it wet it could last a long time with periodic oiling. P/S if the bearing is metal shielded it will most likely take oil but you will have to keep it soaking for a while. Good luck, let us know what you did and if it worked.