How to Replace the Shaft of an Evaporative Cooler

Replacing the shaft of an evaporative cooler is a job that can be done in a few hours with some basic tools. The calcium and lime deposits from the water in the cooler can build up on the cooler shaft and cause the shaft to freeze up, requiring it be replaced for the evaporative cooler to work properly. The cooler shaft is attached to the cooler frame with collars and set screws you can remove yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Socket wrench set
• Allen wrench

Instructions

1. Shut off the water supply to the evaporative cooler at the shut-off valve before attempting to replace the cooler shaft. Turn off the breaker switch to the evaporative cooler at the breaker box and remove the panels from the cooler.

2. Loosen the bolts on the motor bracket with a socket wrench to relieve the tension on the belt. Unfasten the bolts that are securing the brackets for the cooler shaft bearings on both sides of the cooler frame with the socket wrench and slide the bearings off the shaft.

3. Loosen the set screw in the side of the blower pulley on the shaft with an Allen wrench and slide the pulley off the shaft. Loosen the set screws on the set collars on both sides of the blower wheel with the Allen wrench and slide the collars off the shaft.

4. Slide the cooler shaft out of the blower wheel carefully and set the wheel in the bottom of the cooler frame. Discard the old shaft and slide the new cooler shaft through the holes in the cooler frame, lining the shaft up with the center of the blower wheel.

5. Place the set collars on both sides of the blower wheel on the new shaft and secure the collars with the set screws. Attach the blower pulley to the new shaft and place the belt over the pulley, securing the blower pulley with the set screw.

6. Slide the bearings onto both ends of the new shaft and secure the bearings by fastening the brackets onto the cooler frame. Place the belt around the motor pulley and pull the motor back to add tension to the belt while tightening the bolts on the bracket.

7. Place the cooler panels back on the cooler frame and turn the water supply back on at the shut-off valve. Turn the breaker switch for the evaporative cooler back on at the breaker box.

Tips & Warnings

• Always shut off the power to the swamp cooler at the breaker switch before attempting to replace the cooler shaft.

References

• Pro-Handyman: Swamp Cooler Motor Replacement
• Naughton's: Guide to Evaporative Cooling
• Essick Air: Evaporative Air Cooler Manual