Look Who it Was Random video

Router Repair - Replacing the Brush Holder (Porter Cable Part # 873497)

4,428 views · Published 17 June 2015 · 6:23 · Indexed 28 October 2026

Channel: FIX Tech Guides · 2015 · Howto & Style

Watch on YouTube

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/brush-holder-p-58274.html?q=873497 Click here for more information on this part, installation instructions and more.

This particular brush holder is specific to Porter Cable manufactured brands, including Porter Cable and Black and Decker. To find a brush holder specific to your model, visit eReplacementParts.com.

If your router is showing any of these symptoms; replacing the upper brush holder could solve your problem:

1) Motor brush not contacting armature
2) Brush is loose within the holder
3) Brush holder is melted
4) Brush holder is loose or damaged

eReplacementParts.com part number: 873497

Tools used for this repair/replacement:

1) Large flat-blade screwdriver
2) Rubber mallet
3) Phillip's screwdriver
4) Permanent marker

Get model-specific repair help from eReplacementParts.com. Learn how to troubleshoot, diagnose and repair your power tools and equipment with illustrated instructions, hundreds of step-by-step repair videos, and our DIY forum. If you have a power tool or appliance problem, we can help. https://www.ereplacementparts.com/articles-c-8873.html

[ VIDEO TRANSCRIPT ]

Hi, I’m Mark from eReplacementParts.com. In this video, I’m going to show you how to replace the brush holder in a Porter Cable 690 router. Your router has two brush holders, one on either side of the motor. The brush holder both holds the brush in place, as well as transfers power from the wiring to the brush itself. Brush holders are usually damaged in an overloading situation where the front of the brush holder, the part nearest the armature, can actually melt and become damaged; at which time you'll need to replace the brush holder. Replacing the brush holder is easy to do, and I am going to show you how. Brush holders, as well as many other parts, can be found on our website. Let’s get started.

I will begin by removing the router motor from the router’s base. And now go ahead and remove the two screws the secure the cap to the motor. Now, remove the brushes so that they don’t get hung up on the bearing as we remove the top half of the motor housing. Now, we’ll make a reference mark between the upper and lower motor housings. This will just make it easier to line everything up when we go to put it back together. Now, I can remove the two screws that secure the upper half of the motor housing to the lower half. And a few taps with a rubber mallet will help me to separate these two pieces.

The brush holder is secured to the upper motor housing with a set screw. I’ll go ahead and loosen that screw. Next, I’ll remove the brush holder lead from the brush holder. It’s held in place with a coiled spring.  I just slide it off at the holder. I’ll also remove the shield. To remove the brush holder, I’ll insert a screwdriver through the opposite holder from the one I’m going to remove.  Then, I’ll place the screwdriver on the lip of the brush holder I’m removing and use the screwdriver to tap the brush holder out.

Now install the new brush holder. I’ll slide it into the motor housing and then use the mallet and screwdriver to tap it into place again. I want to be careful that I don’t tap it in too far or I’ll break the flange off the front of the brush holder. Just tap it in until it stops. Right there.

With the brush holder installed to the proper depth, now use a large screwdriver to rotate the brush holder around until it’s vertical. Like that. Now re-secure the brush holder with a set screw. Now I’ll slide the shield back over the brush holder and I’ll reinstall the brush holder wire lead.

Now I can reinstall the lower half of the motor housing to the upper half. I’ll insert the armature through the field to make sure that it lines up properly with the top half of the housing and line up our reference marks that we made earlier. Just like that. And I’ll secure the upper and lower halves of the motor housing with the screws.

Now, I can reinstall the cover. I just want to make sure that I have all the wires tucked in and make sure that nothing is going to get pinched, especially in this area, when I put the cover back on.
Now I can reinstall the brushes. The brush just slides into the brush holder. Then I line up these tabs on the end of the brush wire with the slots in the brush holder. Hold that in place and slide one of the caps on. This part can be a little tricky. It might take a couple of tries to get all that lined up. Then I will secure the brush with the screwdriver. You want to be careful not to over tighten these or you will crack them. Then I do that same thing on the other side.

Then I’ll finish up by reinstalling the base. And that’s all it takes to replace a brush holder on a Porter Cable 690 Series router. If you found this video helpful, be sure to give us thumbs-up and leave a comment.

[ END TRANSCRIPT ]

More from this channel