Motor binding up

[PeterM]

My shimano e8000 motor has suddenly developed significant drag when pedalling, in all modes. When back pedalling aswell. First noticed today riding felt much harder and my battery depleted unusually fast. Kind of frees up if i back pedal by hand fast for ten or so revolutions but then binds again as soon as i change back into the forward direction. I left the bike for a few hours to let the motor cool right down and the drag seems worse.
10,000kms on the motor.
Has anyone else experienced this? There is no noticable bearing noise or rumble, could this be a fault with the clutch mechanism?
If anyone has had one on these motors apart and could shed any light on the matter, any input would be great.

 

[Spiff]

I suppose you do this test to the motor alone, I mean wheels (mainly rear hub) and brakes are not involved.

Then, this looks like a problem with a motor internal bearing, gearwheel or clutch that has a problem. If you are lucky and the problem is a bearing then it can be replaced at a low cost, if it is a gear or clutch then it can not be fixed unless you get the parts from a broken donor motor.

There is a long thread about bearing replacement:

STEPS E8000 Motor Service

I've just serviced my E8000 motor and replaced some bearings, it's now working quietly and smoothly like new. If anyone needs any advice, I've got the bearing numbers and some pictures to help see what goes where. Gimme a shout if you are stuck.

www.emtbforums.com

and Videos:

 

[PeterM]

Main drive side bearing has collapsed, damaging the housing.
The damage to the casing is terminal, if anyone has a dead drive unit they are willing to part with message me. I will attempt to swap the casing.

 

[Spiff]

Good luck finding a replacement case. Place request in forums, there must be somebody with a defective motor selling it

 

[PeterM]

Casing has now been repaired with 2 part epoxy resin and new bearings throughout. Performs fine at the moment. Time will tell how long this lasts.

 

[steve_sordy]

Well done @PeterM