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Chuck&Pam · 02-14-2014, 01:57 PM

Critters got into my furnace fan (Atwood 8500-IV circa 2005). I got it cleaned out and put back together except for one part. There is a flange/ring on the end of the squirrel cage (opposite end of the motor) with what appears to be small clips on it. I cannot get it to lock in place. Here's the question for any of you that may know: does that flange clip onto the fan itself? or do i have it backwards and does it clip to the fan/motor housing once its in place?

I'v downloaded all the parts and service manuals from Atwood, and seen a couple of Youtube videos, but nothing shows this specifically.

jesilvas · 02-14-2014, 03:06 PM

Got a picture of it?
Does the ring appear just too small to fit on the shaft?

Dunner · 02-14-2014, 05:34 PM

They can be fussy. Have to get it just right. It will go, with a turn to the right or left.

Chuck&Pam · 02-14-2014, 05:40 PM

Thanks Dunner...but it does attach to the squirrel cage fan and not to the opening in the cover...correct?

Dunner · 02-14-2014, 05:45 PM

Mine all attach to the cover.

Chuck&Pam · 02-14-2014, 05:54 PM

ok. I'll try that tomorrow. I was trying to get it to clamp onto the squirrel cage. It didnt seem like a tight connection and sure enough, when i turned it on, the thing fell off and i'm lucky it didn't rip that plastic fan to pieces. You have to have the cover already screwed down and in place for that part to fit on it so that will be a tight job... i see skinned knuckles in my future!

By the way.. that plastic fan fared MUCH better than that mouse.

Chuck&Pam · 02-15-2014, 02:38 PM

I got it reinstalled correctly. There's not much in the way of pictures, even in the exploded parts view in the service manual, that helps.

I had to partially install the fan cover, then set in that ring (venturi accoring to the service manual) with the tabs facing inward, flange on the outside of the plastic fan cover, then tighten it in place with the tabs inside/flange outside. Wasn't too bad after knowing that's the way it works, just tight work. A magnetic nut driver helps a lot too.

It helped alot to completely remove the electronic control board and get all those wires and parts out of the way. Just be sure to make notes about which wires go to what connectors.

Thanks for the help!