Clever solution sought for a tight space

[mbenseignant@gmail.com]

See the two screws my fat finger is pointing to? They hold the third brush on my 1924 Cadillac motor generator. I need to remove that third brush and replace it; rotor is already suffering wear from the brush arm contacting it. Trouble is, no way my fingers can fit in that space. I can probably remove those 2 screws with a 9/32 closed combination wrench without letting them drop beneath the rotor. But then how to reinstall? I will need to hold, and turn, and push until they thread. I am thinking about a touch of glue holding the screws in the brush arm, but even then, one might thread and the other push out the wrong way, falling down into the unit.

Of course if hours don't count I can remove the whole motor generator and take off the aluminum plated. I'd rather not.

Thanks! Mike Barnes

Vancouver, B.C.

[Friartuck]

A phrase that seems to fit here: There's never enough time or patience to do it right the first time, but there is the second time around. Yank the unit and do it right.

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

A phrase that seems to fit here: There's never enough time or patience to do it right the first time, but there is the second time around. Yank the unit and do it right.

LOL. Yep, only way.

Ben

[mbenseignant@gmail.com]

Well, it's about a hundred pound unit sitting in the V. Not easy to remove, though I have done so in past and may need to again given that the rotor has been grooved by the brush arm contacting it. However, tonight I discovered I could pry the arm up far enough to unscrew the brush and replace it. All done -- then I overtightened and cracked the brush! So now my problem has changed to where do I purchase carbon brush material! Thanks!

[Friartuck]

Here in the states, there are two suppliers 1) McMaster-Carr. They have some brushes that might fit or close enough to be sanded to fit: http://www.mcmaster.com/#motor-brushes/=t680hr and 2) Grainger: http://www.grainger.com/search?searchQuery=motor+brushes though Grainger seems more motor/brand specific. There's also a person on this Discussion Forum (http://forums.aaca.org/member.php?u=68346) who rebuilds starters and generators. He would likely have an inventory of brushes close enough where some sanding should work:

Jason

Advanced Electrical Rebuilders

jason@aerrebuild.com

www.aerrebuild.com

[JACK M]

I will sometimes put some masking tape across an end wrench then put the screw head in thru the tape. it holds a head better than just the wrench.

[DonMicheletti]

I have a '18 Buick 6 cylinder with the DDELCO starter generator. There may be differences, but the brush on mine is pretty easy to remove.

There is a spring with a "tail" on it that holds the brush assembly in.

I hope this helps.

Don