When to change motor brushes

[Leet TC3]

I usually true my comms after every race or every other race. This keeps the motor like new, or even BETTER than new.

I have read that you should change brushes everytime you true the comm. Why is this? A good set of brushes can cost $5 or more, so it can get kind of expensive after awhile.

What do you all do?

[noobie]

you don't need to change brushes every time. Only when the brushes get very worn, like close to halfway gone.

[malici]

You should change brushes every time you cut the comm. It is because after they have been run a few times ridges are left in the brushes. They woundn't contact the comm as well as new a new set, but the ridges will also cut into the comm insted of an even wear that you would get with new ones.

Malici

[Rick Hohwart]

When the brushes have become too hot they lose their lubricating qualities. When this occurs, commutator wear increases and you can easily ruin your motor. So if you put "bad" brushes back in with afresh comm that comm won't be fresh for long.

So if the brushes have become discolored (orange, red, purple, white)that is the sign to change them. If they are still the same color then it is OK to reinstall them. However in most cases they will need to be changed when the comm is cut. Remember when you change brushes you should ALWAYS cut the comm. But when you cut the comm it is not always necessary to change the brushes.