Squirrel cage installation.

replace squirrel cage one of the vanes on it could be issue.

Check the blower motor capicator. It should be mounted close to the motor with 2 wires to it (brown,brown/white).
Turn the blower on the thermostat and spin the squirrel cage by hand and see if it runs after by itself. If it does then definitely the capicator is bad .If it still doesn't run then check to see if there is voltage going to motor.
If thermostat is calling for fan and there is voltage present at the motor terminal then the motor is bad

Could be bearings going out, or a squirrel cage rubbing the blower housing, a squirrel cage blade that came loose, or a capacitor.

I have done this before and it is hard. (big time)One time I just got annoyed and bent the washer and got a replacement one at the hardware store. Sometimes the nut will come off if you pull it gently while "unscrewing" it Try a little WD40 on the shaft to help the squirrel cage off. also prying up gently helps. Good luck.

The first thing I would do is to clean motor and squirrel cage. It would be best if you would remove it and take it somewhere that you had a air compressor to blow out motor ports and fins on squirrel cage. Most of the time you can remove by disconnecting modular plugs and removing two or more screws on rail that squirrel cage slids on.
If you can get it out you can use a fine wire brush to loosen dirt and dust from fins on cage then use air to blow out as much as you can.
Your motor may be getting worn so check the bearing by grasping cage and see how much it will slide side to side and if it moves more then about1/8 inch then you are going to need to replace it before much longer. Also make sure that the rim of squirrel cage is not rubbing on blower housing and if it is then loosen motor mounting screws and adjust ,then retighten screws.
I hope this helps you. Thanks

The best way to really clean the squirrel cage is to remove the entire indoor blower motor housing assembly out of the furnace then remove the squirrel cage from the motor shaft and pressure wash the squirrel cage. Make sure you don't use to much water pressure as you might knock off any balancing weights that may be attached to the one or more of the vanes. Make sure the cage is completely dry before you re-install it back on the motor shaft.

Howdy,

Absolutely should be positively "locked" to the motor shaft. There should be a set screw in the collar of the squirrel cage mount. Either it is missing of has loosened. Please tighten (or replace) this set screw. Also, it is very IMPORTANT to make sure that if there is a flat machined surface on the motor shaft, that you align the squirrel cage (and set screw) so that the set screw will seat firmly and squarely against this flat surface. This design ensures that once properly aligned and set, that the squirrel cage will follow the motor shaft faithfully. Also, it is recommmended to apply some thread sealant (Locktite) to the threads of the set screw so this will not happen in the future. Vibration can be the cause of this.

Good luck,

J

You have to take blower out by removing the 2 screws that is holding it ,then you loose the motor shaft from wheel by using a Allen key .Once motor shaft is loose you then loosen motor frame from housing and slide motor out .Might have to spray it with wd 40 .
On the housing should be some screws along the side so you loosen those and house ing would open up so you can get wheel out.
To install you reverse the process.
Please note the direction of the old wheel because if install backwards will not work right