I’ve got a Milwaukee 5455 sander and the bevel gear on the spindle shaft (part that connects with the pad) is missing a tooth. The gear is at the end of the shaft and its purpose is to change the direction 90 degrees from the motor. Anyone ever had to change the gear?
The parts places lists a separate part that appears to slide off the shaft but that thing looks like it might be pressed on.
Any ideas before I do something stupid? Thanks.
Howzit DMP, If you want to do it yourself then I think you need a gear puller to get the gear off otherwise take it to Tool Master and either let them fix it or talk to the guy who does the repair work. He is a really good guy and even has given me free parts before and has told me a lot about repairing some of my tools. The only other option is to find a broken one and take the gear out of it and put it in yours. The one person who may have a couple of broken ones is BASA and I know he is over them after having them break down on him to many times so you might be able to work out a deal with him. Aloha,Kokua
Mahalo Kokua,
When I was in Daves shop a few weeks ago to pick up blanks he had a couple laying around. I can get a new gear for less than $20, just got to figure out how the get it off and then back on. I know those things are usually a puller/press type affair.
But just wondering. I know it is the sander of choice for most pros which means they go through bearings, triggers, etc. They got to be fixing instead of replacing, too expensive.
Thanks for the tip. I might have to hunt Basa down in Wainiha and pick his brain.
Those gears are a very tight press-fit, and I’ve had to torch them to remove/install. I’ve also had to adjust them to get it to run smoothly. A big mess with the grease inside and using a hydraulic press. If you’re missing a tooth on one of the gears, there’s likely problems with the other gears/shafts. Here’s the parts list and diagram: http://www.milwaukeetool.com/CMS/Diagrams/54-32-1250.pdf . If you contact Milwaukee factory service, they can assemble and sell you a complete gear head, or you can send them yours for repair. That’s what I do, I won’t work on the heads anymore. I have a used gear head if you’re interested, PM me.
Mahalo PeteC!
Thats what I needed to know. I kind of suspected something along those lines. Too much speed and torque for it to be an easy removal and replacement.
When I took it apart I found the missing tooth in the grease. All the other gears were clean and intact.
One last question. Is the factory grease that super viscous off white stuff? Mine was used and it looked like someone tried to service the head with black axel grease. It didn’t seem right because it appeared to be leaking out of the head body when it got hot from whatever abuse they were inflicting on that poor machine. There was a thicker white grease packed outside the main body that seemed more designed for the machines operation.
Also thanks for the offer on the gear. I’m going to be contacting Milwaukee and see what the damages are going to be to have them service the tool.
Howzit DMP,How's Dave doing these days and next timeyou see him tell him Wildog Says Aloha. I think that white grease maybe lithium grease which is good stuff and is water proof and salt waterproof. You can buy it in a small tube a can or a tube that works with a grease gun. I use it on just about everything and it also works as a electrical conductorand waterproof the electrical connectors,just all around good stuff. Where did you buy your Milwaukee and is it still under warranty, like i said tool master can repair it for you and they have reasonable prices. Aloha,Kokua