I have an Arrowind motor and I think the bearings are going bad.  It's the motor in my Pathfinder, my question is changing the bearing something we can do?  I think I can get the replacement bearing from Boca Bearing in Florida.  I have been getting engine bearings from these people for many years and they are very dependable.  Anyway any and all information regarding this subject will be greatly appreciated.
Andy

Good stuff Chris, thanks for the link.

Best,         DennisT

Thanks Crist for the link, that's what I was looking for.
Andy

Outrunner bearings change-out much easier than IC bearings!

The motor I am using is a Aerowind, but here is what I think is going on.  The motor heats up during a flight and the bearings tighten up a bit.  Once the bearings cool down the bearings free up and turn smoothly.  I have been monitoring the power consumption and it is not rising, at least so far.  This may be just how it is with the less expensive motors.  If the power consumptions starts to rise that points to bad bearings, but if it remains constant it just points to the bearings are behaving as designed.  I don't want to say cheap, that's not fair, they are doing exactly what they are advertised to do.  They are giving good value, and that's that.  I have set up a spread sheet to monitor and record the power consumption over time, I need more data points before I can be sure what is happening.
Andy

Andrew - did this problem show up after your prop-strike accident?  The jostling may have moved things around a little or even bent the shaft?  The AW does not have a collar but you can adjust the endplay by loosening the set-screw in the bell and move the shaft & circlip a smidgen or two...

Hi Dennis
No the symptom has been there long before the prop strike.  The strike happened while the plane was near level in grass and it threw off the battery so no smoke damage was done to the motor or the ESC.  By the way, got my Brodak magazine yesterday now I know what you look like.  I haven't had a chance to read the articles yet but I will.
Andy

Hmmm CLW likes to print a pix of the author with the article - in my case the ugly truth.  I submitted a photo in shades and goofyhat to spare the reader any undue eye-stress...