How to fix broken fans of GPU?

[NDDU Julius BSIT]

I bought a 2nd hand GTX 560 cuz prices here in the Philippines are crazy and I don't have the money to buy high-end cards so I ended up with this.

The owner did replace the fans with a more powerful fan due to the fact that "the bearing's lubrication are dried up. The fans spin up but starts a creaking noise then stops" as what he claimed. I haven't tried the card for myself because I am still waiting for a better PSU with 6-pin connectors and I don't have the money to buy replacement fans because they are just too expensive. The original fans and front casing is still there so I am planning to take those home too to try to fix it... any ideas how to do it? is it possible?

 

[Eximo]

Not really enough information, but if the bearings on the fan have failed, it really isn't a user serviceable component. If he replaced the original fan, what makes you think it will work any better?

Or do you mean to imply that he replaced the original fan with a more powerful one and that it is in working order?

Solution is to buy new fans at a minimum. Since model specific GPU fans are pretty hard to track down I would personally look into strapping some plain 120mm fans to it. (Which is probably what already happened)

Extremely temporary solution would be to attempt to add lubrication to a fan bearing. This can get them running for a week or two. But it isn't wise since generally any off the shelf lubricant that you add is likely to leak out and get slung everywhere.

 

[NDDU Julius BSIT]

Not really enough information, but if the bearings on the fan have failed, it really isn't a user serviceable component. If he replaced the original fan, what makes you think it will work any better?

Or do you mean to imply that he replaced the original fan with a more powerful one and that it is in working order?

Solution is to buy new fans at a minimum. Since model specific GPU fans are pretty hard to track down I would personally look into strapping some plain 120mm fans to it. (Which is probably what already happened)

Extremely temporary solution would be to attempt to add lubrication to a fan bearing. This can get them running for a week or two. But it isn't wise since generally any off the shelf lubricant that you add is likely to leak out and get slung everywhere.

Yeah i guess...he said that the sticker which was covering the holes of the fan were wet with lubricant

 

[Eximo]

And that is where lubrication can be added, but if the fan(s) was run without lubrication for any length of time then they are already permanently damaged.

Most fans are sleeve bearings, which are just two finely machined parts fit closely together. Relies highly on the magnetic field and the rotation to keep the parts from actually contacting. More expensive FDB fans basically have a built in pump to create some lubrication pressure, still basically a sleeve bearing. There are some magnetic bearings out there, only applies to PWM fans, I believe, which can be found on GPUs. They actually do rely on the magnets to hold the fan in place.

 

[NDDU Julius BSIT]

And that is where lubrication can be added, but if the fan(s) was run without lubrication for any length of time then they are already permanently damaged.

Most fans are sleeve bearings, which are just two finely machined parts fit closely together. Relies highly on the magnetic field and the rotation to keep the parts from actually contacting. More expensive FDB fans basically have a built in pump to create some lubrication pressure, still basically a sleeve bearing. There are some magnetic bearings out there, only applies to PWM fans, I believe, which can be found on GPUs. They actually do rely on the magnets to hold the fan in place.

So basicaly, I could still put some lubricant in there? The fans still spin but stops later after a few minutes of use

 

[Eximo]

I wouldn't.

Nothing you can salvage some 12V fans from?

 

[NDDU Julius BSIT]

I wouldn't.

Nothing you can salvage some 12V fans from?

Well i guess i am going to stick with these for a while...even maybe longer than I would expect...
*sigh* Philippine prices... so much cringe

 

[uber.esbitt]

Not really enough information, but if the bearings on the fan have failed, it really isn't a user serviceable component. If he replaced the original fan, what makes you think it will work any better?



Question raised by NDDU Julius BSIT deserves an informed response. The answer to his question is YES - miniature ball bearings are very much a serviceable item these days with very high grade ceramic ball bearings available as direct replacements in countless applications. For nearly 100 years devices equipped with ball bearings guaranteed a higher level of service and durability but sadly those days are long past with new generations of consumers who none the wiser accept worthless garbage as ordinary items of use making this gentleman's inquiry all the more important. Properly equipped even a used fan may last 10 or 15 years and it is a very simple matter in many cases to retrofit sleeve type or phosphor bronze equipped fans with excellent bearings available in metric or fractional sizes world wide with good results possible even with shafts slightly worn from usage as bearing surfaces. It is a common thing also to be able to specify the type of lubricant desired . I am a 66 year old techtype who is not encouraged over this state of affairs but I do hope this might be of some use to someone. Please check out ACERRACING.com and you will find everything you need . in this regard.