O-Cedar or Vileda Spin Mop Not Spinning? Here’s the Fix
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Short on time? Here’s a quick video that fixes an O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop not spinning in under 2 minutes:
Both the O-Cedar and Vileda spin mops are amazing. They come with a bucket equipped with a foot pedal that allows you to wring the mop without getting your hands dirty. Sadly, sometimes the bucket won’t spin.
So, why is an O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop not spinning correctly?
An O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop will not spin correctly if the needle bearing inside the main drive gear is dirty, rusty, or damaged. You need to replace the needle bearing with a new one.
If you start to hear loud, grinding, or clicking sounds, it means the needle bearing inside the main drive gear needs to be replaced. The needle bearing is easily damaged so be gentle. Avoid pressing the pedal several times too quickly. The mop bucket is supposed to spin in one direction only.
In this post, I will show you how to fix a spin mop bucket that is not spinning in a simple step-by-step format. I will also show you what type of bearing you need to buy. By the end of this post, your O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop should work normally as it should.
How to Fix an O-Cedar or Vileda Spin Mop Bucket Not Spinning
Before you start fixing an O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop that is not spinning, please prepare a Phillips head screwdriver, a replacement needle bearing, and a dry lubricant (optional).
For the replacement needle bearing, you need the HF081412 8x14x12mm one-way needle roller steel bearing. It is octagon-shaped. You can buy the exact needle bearing right here online.
- Size: (I.D. (Fw)= 8mm, O.D. (D)= 14mm, Width (C)= 12mm)
- ST14 steel drawn cup, GCr15 needle rollers one way clutch
- Good heat tolerance, high load carrying capacity and stiffness
If you have everything ready, here are the 6 steps to fix an O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop that is not spinning:
1. Unscrew the 4 screws at the bottom
The first step is pretty straightforward. To gain access to the needle bearing inside the man drive gear, you need to open the pedal assembly by unscrewing the 4 screws on the bottom of the bucket.
Use a Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew and remove each screw carefully. Be sure to keep all four screws at a safe place so they do not get lost. It’s a hassle to replace a few missing screws!
2. Remove the main drive gear from the gear shaft
Once the pedal assembly has been lifted and removed, you will find the main drive gear (white). It is “hugging” the thin gear shaft. The main drive gear is what spins the bucket in one direction.
Remove the main drive gear from the gear shaft, then continue to the next step.
3. Remove the needle bearing from the main drive gear
Inside the main drive gear is the needle bearing. It fits inside very tightly and actually locks into the plastic. In other words, the needle bearing is press-fitted into the main drive gear.
The needle bearing is a one-way rotational bearing. So when you step on the pedal, the needle bearing will grab and spin the shaft in one direction. Since the needle bearing does not grab the shaft and spin in the other direction, it allows the spin basket to keep spinning on its own, wringing the mop during the process.
Remove the needle bearing from the main drive gear.
Sometimes, the needle bearing can be difficult to remove because of rust or damage. If you are having trouble removing the needle bearing from the main drive gear, push it from the bottom with a flat-head screwdriver. If the needle bearing is stuck in the gear shaft, try removing it with a pair of pliers.
4. Replace the needle bearing with a new one
If you have already bought the needle bearing replacement, all you have to do now is to replace the old needle bearing with the new one. Remember, you need this particular needle bearing.
- Size: (I.D. (Fw)= 8mm, O.D. (D)= 14mm, Width (C)= 12mm)
- ST14 steel drawn cup, GCr15 needle rollers one way clutch
- Good heat tolerance, high load carrying capacity and stiffness
When you install the needle bearing, make sure it is facing the right direction (facing up). Put simply, you want to make sure the words on the needle bearing are facing up.
5. Lubricate the gears (optional)
With the entire O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop disassembled, now is a good time to clean and lubricate every moving part. The purpose of lubricating the gears is to reduce friction and keep moisture out.
Make sure to lubricate the newly installed needle bearing, the main drive gear, and the gear shaft.
Of course, lubricating the gears is optional, but if you feel like the spin mop bucket does not rotate smoothly, lubricate it. Instead of grease, I recommend a dry lubricant like this one to avoid mess.
- Provides superior, long-lasting lubrication for every household lubricant need
- Use on locks and catches, hinges, cables, window tracks and glass, rope, door tracks and conveyor belts
- It's also safe for use on plastics
A dry lube starts off slightly wet so it goes into cracks and crevices very well. Then, the moisture dries up, leaving a type of lithium grease to reduce the friction. It works great with the O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop.
6. Reassemble the pedal assembly
Once the needle bearing has been replaced, the main drive gear has been installed into the gear shaft, and every moving part has been lubricated, assemble everything back into the mop bucket.
Don’t forget to reinstall the four screws securing the pedal assembly in place. Congratulations, your O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop is not fixed and should now spin correctly. Now it’s time to mop your house!
Conclusion
And there you have it, the complete step-by-step guide on how to fix an O-Cedar or Vileda spin mop that is not spinning correctly. Remember, if you start to hear loud, grinding, or clicking sounds, it means the needle bearing inside the main drive gear needs to be replaced.
Please be gentle while using the spin mop because the needle bearing gets stuck or becomes damaged easily. Avoid pressing the bucket pedal several times too quickly, and your cleaning device should last a long time.
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Ryan O'Connor
I write about house cleaning and vacuum cleaners. For me, nothing is more important than a clean environment to ensure both a healthy and happy life. Learn more.