Electrical: small motors

[colt45sa]

I am looking for a place to have small automotive electric motors rebuilt, windows, seats, and w/s wipers. If you can lead me to a reliable, competent, source with reasonable charges and acceptable turn-around times~!
We have a 1955 Thunderbird with bad power seat motors that need to be be rebuilt. I'm a '55 Studebaker Coupe owner but am helping out a fellow car enthusiast.

[52-fan]

Are you asking about getting motors or having some rebuilt?

[TWChamp]

Any year and model in particular?
Rewinding an armature or field will cost more than buying a good part from someone.

[jclary]

When it comes to these small motors, my experience has been that the typical failure is either the insulation of the connecting wire has cracked & shorted where it exits from the motor housing, or the brushes have worn out. The tricky part is finding a way to get the brushes back on the armature when reassembling the motor.

Many of the small motor housings are constructed like a tin can. Most often, the brushes are located in the backside (bottom) of the housing where there is no direct access to the brushes. Therefore, you have to figure out a way to keep the brushes squeezed inside their retainers (against spring pressure) while reinserting the armature. I have done it a couple of times, but so rarely, if I had to do it today, I would have to reeducate myself. A task that gets more difficult as I continue to age.

While typing this, I was hoping I could recall the process I used the last time I repaired a heater blower motor. I used something very thin to keep the brushes pushed back until the armature was seated in the bushing, but can't recall exactly what it was. Once the armature was in place, I removed the item improvised for that purpose. I just can't recall if it was a thin wire tie, or string (fishing line?), but I do recall it was a frustrating & time consuming task.

[BILT4ME]

When it comes to these small motors, my experience has been that the typical failure is either the insulation of the connecting wire has cracked & shorted where it exits from the motor housing, or the brushes have worn out. The tricky part is finding a way to get the brushes back on the armature when reassembling the motor.

Many of the small motor housings are constructed like a tin can. Most often, the brushes are located in the backside (bottom) of the housing where there is no direct access to the brushes. Therefore, you have to figure out a way to keep the brushes squeezed inside their retainers (against spring pressure) while reinserting the armature. I have done it a couple of times, but so rarely, if I had to do it today, I would have to reeducate myself. A task that gets more difficult as I continue to age.

While typing this, I was hoping I could recall the process I used the last time I repaired a heater blower motor. I used something very thin to keep the brushes pushed back until the armature was seated in the bushing, but can't recall exactly what it was. Once the armature was in place, I removed the item improvised for that purpose. I just can't recall if it was a thin wire tie, or string (fishing line?), but I do recall it was a frustrating & time consuming task.

I usually use "tag wire" from a paper tag that comes on parts or the like. Straighten out the wire and insert it into a hole in the rear cover or even drill a tiny hole in the rear cover and insert the wire , push the brush back, and push the wire past the brush, so the wire is through a hole on each side of the brush or in a way that the wire cannot be pushed out of the way by the spring pressure. Install the armature, then pull the wire out and the brushes will pop into place as needed.

Sometimes, you can route the wire through two or more brushes at once.

After assembly, you can place a dab of silicone caulk over the hole that you had to drill to keep out water and debris.

[63 R2 Hawk]

You might try these guys, they are not cheap. Most of the small motors are very similar to wiper motors, so they might be able to do something.

http://stores.ebay.com/AMX-WIPER-MOTOR-RESTORATION-SERVICE?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

[52-fan]

BTW Many small motors, like those for heaters and defrosters, are very generic. Many different motors will fit in the place of the original.

[rockne10]

Motor dimensions, direction of rotation, shaft diameter & length, size and separation of mounting bolts. Most parts stores and any auto electric specialists can order whatever you need, given details.

[colt45sa]

Are you asking about getting motors or having some rebuilt?

This would be for rebuilds~!