Tower Fan Noise Fixed

This video documents steps I've taken to fix the rattling noise coming from the Lasko tower fan.
I had cleaned a lot of dust build up couple of years ago, but this time I found a spot that I didn't clean last time.

[@lemagreengreen]

These tower fans are basically the same as they were 30+ years ago. I know this because I just took apart one that I remember buying in 1994 lol, it needed a real good clean. Basically identical to this one. Those bearings at the top and bottom holding the shaft needed some oil, it's working great and very quiet.

[@MC-cyh]

This was such a life saver! I have large tower fans (4) throughout my home and I paid a good $100/each. They are getting dirty and louder by the day. I am not about to throw them all out when I can clean them and lube them myself!! Thank you for taking the time to show this ❤

[@jorgemolina9695]

*Love the size and it fits perfectly in a corner but **Fastly.Cool** the whole room. Really like how you can auto adjust how long you want the fan to be on. It is quite but highly effective.*

[@KenSerpico5450]

This reminds me of my neighbor. One Saturday morning, he was underneath his car at 9am doing some type of mechanical work. Finally, around 2pm, he stood up from underneath his car, all sweaty and his knuckles all busted and bleeding. I asked him, what were you doing? He said, "I was replacing the muffler, saved myself $60.00 bucks".

[@speakingcolors]

True but we need to have that 60$ for it not to matter paying for it. When you need that 60$ for the kids food... you better bet we'll be that guy too.

[@marshmellow3110]

Lmfao!!! I got to the bottom two screws that you need the bizarre bit for and quit. Beat the shit out of it and oiled it and it stopped rattling. About a month later it’s rattling again. I’ve found when I lay it down the rattling stops. Decided to KZbin a solution. After seeing this, I’ll remove the stand and lay it on its side. Will be hidden in my living room better and throw a wide breeze. More power to you bro. Update. I tuned it upside down and tapped it on the rug several times. No more rattling.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

hahaha, great to hear. I know the feeling. I edited out some of the frustrations in my video as well. Was it worth $40 savings to buy a new one, to many may be not, but I did it out of challenge and just for fun.

[@marshmellow3110]

@@DIYLifeSkills you did a hell of a job. The fact that they put those screws to dissuade people from attempting what you did is ridiculous. Throw away culture reinforced. I stopped your video after seeing where the cleaning needed to be done and turned it over and beat it a little. Problem solved, for a little while at least. Thanks again

[@dcasarinc]

Tried to follow this video to make my tower fan quieter. Decided to buy a new fan instead.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

I don’t blame you. It’s 1-2 hours of work to save $40 bucks. I just do it out of curiosity but it’s definitely not for saving big money.

[@vkrgfan]

Do not buy the tower fan anymore.

[@thornedoesstuff6363]

Thanks friend, my tower fan has been making it knocking sound off and on. I'm going to try this and see if it works.

[@thaydende]

Inspiration to take my piece of crap arctic air tower apart. It makes the same noises and also stopped oscillating. I finally had it as it woke me up just now. Took everything I had to not smack it into oblivion. If dust is the issue here... Im cleansing with 🔥. Thanks for the video seriously though. Gives me hope

[@moonbow889]

Never felt more frustrated 😂 totally won’t trust myself with this many screws and knowing how to put it back. I think I’m just going to throw my tower fan TT

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Totally understand 😅

[@EpicnSkil]

I mean if your gunna throw it you might as well try and learn.

[@dioozzy369]

I don't think that was dust in the hole. I think it was an oil wick. You were supposed to put oil that's designed for fan motors on that material you pulled out of the bearing, but what do I know.

[@colleenkeenan6499]

I think ill just buy a new one! So many screws!🙄

[@DIYLifeSkills]

LOL. No kidding. If you have an electric screwdriver it goes pretty quick but without one, it does take a long time.

[@nonelost1]

@@DIYLifeSkills Even with an electric screwdriver, it’s too involved for me. I’ll just scrap my trashpicked tower fan at Goodwill. Thanks for showing the world how to fix this problem!

[@DIYLifeSkills]

@@nonelost1 For sure, you do this out of DIY hobby as it'll take 1 to 2 hours to get through endless amount of screws.

[@manjumehra4292]

You are so good in your work.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Oh tank you so much for encouragement 😄

[@PenggoyUnggoy]

The dust you removed were the felt to absorb the oil to lubricate the motor😢

[@johndor7793]

what?

[@jayblu6900]

Great tutorial i didnt have any spray lubricant so i used grease i think the grease is a bit to thicc so it doesnt spin as powerfull anymore but hey it stoped the rattling noise might gonna take it apart again in the future and use the right lubricant 10/10 tutorial

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Many are intimidated by big number of screws to remove, which I understand, so you are a DIY warrior like me. :-)

[@jayblu6900]

@@DIYLifeSkills yea i mean i buyd it for 80bucks and why buy somethink new if you can fix it if you dont try you cant succed :)

[@DIYLifeSkills]

@@jayblu6900 That how I am. The thought of throwing away something bothers me when I can fix and prolong the life. This resulted in 35 year old Honda lawn mower. 31 year old garage door opener. 25 year old Maytag washer, 20-30 year old HVAC. LOL

[@jayblu6900]

@@DIYLifeSkills nice i mean for some people its easyer to buy new stuff who have good salary in my country salary is low so i rather fix my stuff then throw it away like my father we had a broken Multi-function cultivator he buyd a new one for 800 bucks while i fixed the old one for 40 bucks all it needed was a new carburator

[@DIYLifeSkills]

@@jayblu6900 Yeah for me combination of not wanting to waste money to save more for retirement and also fulfilling the curiosity why somethings broke and whether it can be repaired and usually they can be repaired with some study. :-)

[@jjujun]

Thanks for your helpful video, can I ask if the noise has come back now?

[@DIYLifeSkills]

The history is I cleaned this about 4 years ago and then the noise came back gradually after 3 years and was getting louder so I cleaned it for the second time. I think it depends on how frequently you use the fan and how dusty the surrounding is. In my case this fan is used perhaps an hour a day over summer periods only for about 6 months a year.

[@vkrgfan]

I would say the design of tower fans isn’t the best, they didn’t think about maintenance and easy cleaning. Compare to traditional blade fans.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

@@vkrgfan Totally agree. You rarely have this noise issue with round blade fans.

[@wood2dust413]

Step 1: Remove all screws. Step 2: Throw it all in the trash.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

LOL. Too many screws turns off people. I did it out of fun hobby more than trying to save money from this tedious work for sure.

[@thomasbroker69]

Lol you took the thing apart? You only need to remove the main fans then the top of the motor cover..

[@DIYLifeSkills]

I had no idea where the noise was coming so took it all apart for fun

[@cfdlax3]

Mine also has screws for the outer housing that are a triangle shape. For the life of me I can’t find anyone with a bit like that. Any ideas??

[@aw2511]

Allen wrench

[@jayce949]

Awesome video friend.

[@jayce949]

Thank you very much.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

@@jayce949 Thank you for the feedback!

[@christinejohnson7304]

100 screws later

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Just about. LOL

[@korgscrew2000]

Forget it

[@VideoRanger]

That’s a big job. It looks like a poor design. Thanks for the video.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Just lots of screws. If you have a power drill, it goes pretty quick, but if you don't, it can be very tedious to remove and reinstall so many screws. These fans are only about $60 bucks, so it's not about saving big money, but it's a non-challenging time killer on a boring weekend. 🙂

[@coutterhill]

Just when I think you are done *remove 4 screws

[@antioniolewis8887]

I think it should come apart so we can put it together it doesn't

[@Nedula007]

So the issue for the rattling was dust build up? I have a tower fan, rattles when it oscillates but not stationary. I hit it with the shop vac (air blow mode) and clouds of dust came flying out. Maybe i just need to hit it with the air compressor again?

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Yeah the dust accumulation seems to throw off the balance sometimes so it rattles. After removing as much dust as possible, use ample amount of Dry Lube spray shown in 5:54.

[@melissahunterzuuu699]

That's a great idea

[@gilberto00]

Great! I'll bookmark those videos for when I move to US - I'll save a lot of "dindin" (money) :)

[@DIYLifeSkills]

LOL

[@robertv4076]

Tower fans are way too complicated. I lost track of all the screws. A bad idea and a bad product.

[@DIYLifeSkills]

LOL. I know exactly what you mean for a $40 fan that already gave more than 5 years of use. I think it would still work few more years even with the noise. So this definitely isn’t to save big money. I did it purely to fulfill my curiosity on what’s making the noise and whether if it’s fixable. While my wife watched me for an hour of this work, I probably heard her say “just throw it away” several times. LOL

[@jasongooden917]

You should hear mine

[@DIYLifeSkills]

LOL...what does it sound like?

[@levi30512]

I'll just buy a new one😂

[@DIYLifeSkills]

I don’t blame you.

[@HumorWrld]

Yeah I’m buying a new fan. 😂

[@DIYLifeSkills]

Yup this for those that like to fix it out of curiosity more than saving $50 bucks.

[@Its_a_Mr_Eh]

Just replace it. 🤣