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How to Repair a Computer Fan

by damonkohler on September 7, 2008

Table of Contents
How to Repair a Computer Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Intro: How to Repair a Computer Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Remove Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 2: Remove Sticker and Split Ring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 3: Lubricate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 4: Reassemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Repair-a-Computer-Fan/

Intro: How to Repair a Computer Fan

If you have a computer fan that sounds like the bearing has been replaced with gravel, there may actually be a simple fix. All you need is a screw driver, a small pick, and
some lubricant. In this instructable, I repair my GPU fan. However, the process should be nearly identical for any fan in your PC.

Step 1: Remove Fan

I repaired my GPU fan. First, find the screws holding the fan in place, and remove them so that you can access both sides of the fan freely. Now is a good time to clean
up all the dust that's been collecting around the fan. Some canned air will work nicely.

Image Notes
1. I had to remove the heat sink cover to expose the GPU fan.

Image Notes
1. The fan was held in place by 3 screws like this.
2. Removed screw.
3. Removed screw.

Step 2: Remove Sticker and Split Ring

First, remove the sticker on the fan. That will expose the shaft and the split ring that holds the fan in place. Use the pick to gently pry the split ring off the shaft and remove
the fan. Set the split ring aside for reassembly later. If possible, leave the o-ring in place. Otherwise, put it on the fan shaft.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Repair-a-Computer-Fan/

Image Notes
1. I removed the split ring from the fan shaft.
2. It's difficult to see, but there is a small, red o-ring that sits between the fan and the bearing.

Step 3: Lubricate
I used some Hoppe's #9 gun lubricant on my fan. It worked great. Add a few drops of lubricant to the inside edge of the fan. Rotate it around until it looks wet. Try not to
use more lubricant than necessary. It helps to put the fan back in the bearing and spin it around a bit to get a nice even coating.

Image Notes
1. Add lubricant to the inside edge of the fan here.
2. Fan bearing.

Step 4: Reassemble
Be sure the o-ring is still in place as you put the fan back into the bearing and pop the split ring back on. Add another few drops of lubricant to the fan shaft around the
split ring and spin the fan around a bit. It should be nice and smooth now. Reattach the fan and turn it on. If all went well, it should be nice and quiet again!

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http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Repair-a-Computer-Fan/

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Comments
21 comments Add Comment

makestructor says:

Dec 4, 2012. 10:57 AM REPLY

What to do if there is no split ring?

master key says:

Jul 27, 2013. 9:06 AM REPLY

There should be some kind of clip holding the axle in place.

prule says:

Apr 4, 2011. 1:44 PM REPLY

Great tutorial. Very helpful. My GPU Cooler works like new. Thanks

zack247 says:

Aug 1, 2010. 1:23 PM REPLY

would sewing maching lube work too?

The Lightning Stalker says:

Apr 30, 2010. 6:54 AM REPLY

If you can get in there and wipe the crud out the bearing, it works that much better.

Punkguyta says:

Apr 6, 2010. 5:45 AM REPLY

Awesome to see someone else that figured out how to open computer fans right up!

djr6789 says:

Feb 17, 2009. 10:01 AM REPLY

great instructable! my servers cpu fan sounds like theres a gun fight goin on inside my pc lol

Solderguy says:

Oct 20, 2009. 8:04 PM REPLY

That would be awesome! :D

djr6789 says:

Nov 10, 2009. 5:11 AM REPLY

or it could be all the dust mites having a nuclear war in there :O

Sandisk1duo says:

Sep 8, 2008. 9:55 PM REPLY

you should also blast the "fins" with compressed air to get the dust off

Derin says:

May 8, 2009. 10:12 PM REPLY

For that I useubbing alcohol.

rshino says:

Mar 29, 2009. 3:59 PM REPLY

thanks for this. i had a slow fan on a drive enclosure and the tip to take off the sticker was the one that set me up. thanks a lot.

Derin says:

Jan 31, 2009. 12:29 PM REPLY

You can also use sewing machine oil on a Q-tip.But use no more than one drop for each part.Shaft gets one drop with Q-tip and bearing gets one drop
straight from the bottle.

Scott_Tx says:

Sep 7, 2008. 9:22 AM REPLY

Use grease instead of oil and it'll last longer

nachosyumm says:

Sep 7, 2008. 9:59 AM REPLY

Actually for computer fans oil would work better. In all reality, most computer fans will never really need any sort of lubrication. I've re-oiled the fans on
my computer that runs 24/7 only once in the past 3 years

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Repair-a-Computer-Fan/

Scott_Tx says:

Sep 7, 2008. 10:32 AM REPLY

I've used oil and oil and oil and then switched to grease and never had to re-do them.

nachosyumm says:

Sep 7, 2008. 3:55 PM REPLY

wow, how old and how often is your computer on?

Scott_Tx says:

Sep 7, 2008. 4:30 PM REPLY

My computer started with a 486 and its been upgraded a part here and a part there for 15 or so years. I think the floppy is still original. :P

danymw says:

Sep 7, 2008. 5:54 AM REPLY

correct: how to repair most GPU fans... any idea on normal,cpu or power supply fans?they sound like 7 years old vacuums(not pc's)...

damonkohler says:

Sep 7, 2008. 7:01 AM REPLY

The process should be nearly identical for any fan in your PC. Just remove the fan, remove the sticker, remove the split ring, lubricate, and reassemble.

danymw says:
thanks for reply

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Repair-a-Computer-Fan/

Sep 7, 2008. 9:55 AM REPLY