Opening a Cooler Master CM12V Fan?

obrie572

Junior Member
Oct 2, 2005
13
0
0
I need to lubricate the bearings on a Cooler Master CM12V Fan. I'm not sure if that's the official model, but it says "MGA7012YRT15N RIFLE" on the back also. I took off the stickers, but there's nothing obvious (to me) indicating how loosen the fan and take it off. It gives quite a bit when I try to pull it out, but I'm cautious of breaking it. Anyone with experience with this fan?

Thank you.
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
Most fans are the same. Take the label off on the bracket side (where there are the 3 or 4 mount posts going to the outside frame) and underneath there is usually a round rubber pad or plug. Remove that and you can see the shaft underneath with a locking ring (usually plastic) and some gunk. If you have a pair of tweezers with an angled end those work great, use them to grab the plastic thing near the slit (easier to remove at that spot) and pull it up. CAREFUL NOT TO LOSE IT - they tend to spring out if you aren't careful.
After removing the plastic ring there might be a rubber grommet underneath it. Remove that as well but be careful that you don't mess it up. Once you have removed it you can slide the fan blades off. I use a kleenex usually to wipe off the shaft, then roll a corner of it and stick it down the hole where the shaft goes. Clean out all the old gunk.
Use some standard 3-in-1 oil and put a drop on the shaft of the fan. Stick it back in the fan housing, then put the rubber thing back around the shaft, then the plastic ring. Easiest way to do the ring is to set it on top of the shaft then use some needle nose pliers to push both sides of it down at once so that it clips in place. Put another drop of the oil inside, then put the rubber thing back on. Reattach the label if you can (sometimes the sticky stuff won't stick after removing it).
You should now have a lubricated fan :)

I've done this with many many fans and it almost always works. Just be sure to NOT lose any pieces.

Of course it might just be easier to order a new fan.