Another Debris gathering area on the new 5XX models

vic7767 · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3287 Location: Louisiana

While investigating the possibility of a ball bearing mod for the new 5XX Drive wheels, I've discovered another (difficult to access) area where debris gathers and can then enter the gear assembly of the drive wheels. Here is what I have discovered
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igors48 · Joined: 17 Apr 2008 Posts: 61 Location: Ukraine

Great! Same problem in another place!

Vic7767! You impress me again! How you can pull out that axes (red circles on photo)? I still can`t do that!

Some time ago i had problems in that gear box (thanks for you answer in "Roomba Hacking"). In my case gear axe fully destroy its place (green circle on photo). That makes high noise and even wheel lock. I make appropriate holes in gear box and replace original axe by self-made(3mm longer). Problem solved but i still can`t pull out that axes. :D

Thanks for you answer!

P.S. Possibly solve for debris problem. Make that holes (yellow circles on photo) and remove debris by compressed air, standard vac or something like pincers. Close that holes with some piece of PVC or appropriate stubs after cleaning.

vic7767 · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3287 Location: Louisiana

I used a 5/32 metal punch to drive the shaft out of the wheel assembly. And of course a small hammer. Here is a picture of the punch being used to force out the other metal shaft during disassembly.

igors48 · Joined: 17 Apr 2008 Posts: 61 Location: Ukraine

Great! I think about something like this. But I afraid to broke something. :)

Thanks for photos and reply!

fancyfreewv · Posted: June 23, 2008, 2:04 pm Post subject:

Hmmmm I think I recall something like:

"Just when we thought it was safe to go back into the water....." :lol:

And here we thought the gearbox mod was the fix of our dreams and our Roombas were gonna last forever. Yeah Right.

Go get em!

vic7767 · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3287 Location: Louisiana

Although most 5XX owners won't mod their wheel motor modules with the ball bearing mod, you can at least consider adding a couple of holes in the wheel so that debris can escape. This would also allow you to use an air compressor to aid in cleaning out the wheel area. Here is an example:

digphan · Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 11 Location: SouthEast USA

Vic, I'm not sure if ading the holes would allow debris to escape or make it easier for debris to get inside and wrap around the axle.

vic7767 · Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 3287 Location: Louisiana

If you look at the very first picture in this thread you will notice that the debris is already inside the wheel cover. Adding the holes will allow one to at least blow the accumulation of debris out. Also no debris can enter the gear case now that the bearing is installed on the wheel shaft.

reybo · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 5

My left wheel on a 560 abruptly developed considerably more turning resistance than the right, causing the vacuum to run in circles. I pulled the module and saw it was not designed for user fixes. Having nothing to lose, I introduced spray silicon lubricant everywhere inside the module there could be moving parts. Voilá! Fixed. At least temporarily, it runs like new again, which is to be expected in a 6-month-old machine. WD-40 might also have done it; the silicon was closer at hand.