[SOLVED] Need to lubricate gpu fan but unsure how to access bearing

[lvylynx]

I have an ASUS R7 250. It's about 4 years old now and the gpu itself works fine but the fan has started consistently rattling. It cools the gpu properly but the noise is so loud I have to keep the fan running constantly at 67% (and even that takes some fiddling, stopping and restarting it etc.). I want to try lubricating it since cleaning didn't fix it.

I found out that fans provide access to the bearing by taking off the sticker on the back but when I took the sticker off mine it only has a square hole and I can see components through it, which don't look like they'd like lubricant poured over them. I've added photos below for clarity.

(embedding the image doesn't work for me so I've linked to it instead)
Photos of fan without the sticker

So what is this hole and does it let me lubricate the bearing? Do I need to access the fan from the other side perhaps or detach it? The way it is right now makes it impossible to pop off so I'd have to remove the fan from the heat sink, to which it's both clipped on and glued on. Would it be ok if I dissolved the glue and then just clipped it on back after lubricating without re-glueing? It looks like the clips alone would be ok but I've never done this before so I don't know.

 

[rgd1101]

no that look like circuit board. bearing is underneath. need to remove the fan from the card if you want to do that

 

[jay32267]

There are some fans...you can't get to the bearings no matter what.
Not only that....you don't know if the bearings are worn....lubing them may not help.

I would buy a new fan. 9 dollars

https://www.ebay.com/itm/95mm-MSI-R...aement-40mm-4Pin-12V-0-40A-R149-/171261255782

 

[USAFRet]

Relubing a fan is a temp fix at best.

If it is making noise, that means the clearance between shaft and bearing has become too large over time. More lube in there is but temporary.
Replace the fan.

 

[lvylynx]

Ok if I decided to replace the fan I'd have to find one that fits. I looked at the link, it's for an MSI fan, not an ASUS one. Do the fans come in standard sizes so that I can expect it to fit or do I need to find an exact match? I searched for a replacement for the ASUS fan and there isn't one on ebay.

(edit - looked at the MSI fan again, it definitely won't fit, it's the kind that gets screwed into place with 3 screws but mine has no screws, it fits on the frame, so I don't think it would work as a replacement at all)

Otherwise I guess I'd have to find a regular fan that fits the cooler and card but I don't know how I'd attach it. The cooler doesn't seem to have any other way to attach things to it other than clipping it on or glue. I've seen people do these with tie wraps but it feels like those might put too much stress on the gpu board. Also is there any way to know whether a fan will fit the gpu's fan controller?

Thanks for the help so far <3