Side fans in F 6700 can be repaired

Tom

Digikey Europe do not have in stock Sunon replacement fans for F 6700 and ordering them together with inflated postage costs is quite expensive. It prompted me to find out if it would be possible to repair my noisy fan.
Removal of the side fan  is quite simple. It requires  removal of top and bottom cover and two side panels- one external and second, internal , to which the fan is attached. There are three types of screws of different length.
Dismantling the fan:
Peeling off manufacturer's sticker provides access to shaft end. With a small flat screwdriver the small retaining plastic ring can be removed. There are two other plastic rings and a small loading spring on the shaft. Two bearings can be easily removed from their plastic housing using the same screwdriver. It appears that dust entering bearings results in noisy operation.
Bearing replacement:
Metric dimensions  d=3mm, D=8mm, H=4mm catalog number 693 ZZ.
I bought them in a local bearing shop for a cost equivalent to $6.
Assembling the fan took me some 3 minutes. Tested assembled fan on external 12V power supply, works like new. Installation back into the radio took me about 10 minutes. Everything is back to normal.
I took some photographs but I am unable to attach them to this note due to their size. If someone is interested, fell free to contact me directly and I will send them as an attachment.

Tom, SP7WT
 

Tim - W4TME

I have been successful in the past re-lubricating sleeve bearing fans too.
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/quiet-noisy-computer-fans-with-a-drop-of-oil/

Gerry Jurrens

Excellent! In the best amateur tradition!

k3Tim

Instead of oil would suggest Krytox grease:

https://www.grainger.com/product/KRYTOX-White-PTFE-Multipurpose-Grease-35RU12

It's PTFE based and seems to last forever. This is assuming one can remove the fan from the spindle, clean everything and apply the product.

_..--
k3Tim

Tom

This fan has sealed ball bearings. No need  to lubricate them.

Tony Hateley

Hi tom,could you send me details of fan repair including any pictures,my email address is tonyhateley75@gmail.com.thank you tony