How to remove canopy of ceiling fan?
#1
01-11-16, 07:55 PM
How to remove canopy of ceiling fan?
I want to remove the canopy on top. There are 2 screws at the bottom of it. I cannot fit vertically a screwdriver between a screw and the bottom part (I don't know its name). Ideally, an angled screwdriver should do the job, but I never heard of such a tool. How should I remove these 2 screws?
#2
01-11-16, 08:04 PM
You need to be careful! Those two screws are probably supporting the entire fan. It looks like there may be, just above the top of the fan, a collar that clamps to the down tube. I've never seen one like that but there are a lot of different fans.
At a minimum, you need to take the blades off and have someone support the fan and light before loosening the screws and turning the cover.
BTW yes they do make right angled or offset screwdrivers. Just do a search for examples.
Mod Note: The two screws on the bottom of the canopy only hold the canopy over the mount. The do not hold the fan up to the box.
At a minimum, you need to take the blades off and have someone support the fan and light before loosening the screws and turning the cover.
BTW yes they do make right angled or offset screwdrivers. Just do a search for examples.
Mod Note: The two screws on the bottom of the canopy only hold the canopy over the mount. The do not hold the fan up to the box.
Last edited by pcboss; 01-13-16 at 07:46 AM. Reason: added note
#3
01-11-16, 11:50 PM
Ray,
Pretty sure they're trying to take down the part that covers the box and electrical hookups. Based on the slotted holes, I'm pretty sure that's what holds the fan up. I had to move 4 of them at a gym one time to even out the airflow and I had to take the arms and blades off to allow me easy access to the screws at the top that were on about a 2 ft down tube.
Pretty sure they're trying to take down the part that covers the box and electrical hookups. Based on the slotted holes, I'm pretty sure that's what holds the fan up. I had to move 4 of them at a gym one time to even out the airflow and I had to take the arms and blades off to allow me easy access to the screws at the top that were on about a 2 ft down tube.
#4
01-12-16, 03:42 AM
Just need to loosen he screws enough that they are not snug anymore, you don't have to remove them completely. The canopy then is turned counter clockwise and drops off the screws.
#5
01-12-16, 06:30 AM
Yes, there are 4 of them. I removed them but it didn't nothing special, it only separated the part below this screw and it was stuck at the blades level below.
#6
01-12-16, 06:33 AM
Thank you, I will buy right angled or offset screwdrivers, and take the blades off first. I'm doing all that because I'm trying to fix this wobbly ceiling fan. So I saw online that I have to take the canopy off and tighten some screws, is that the right thing to do?
#8
01-12-16, 12:17 PM
If it's wobbly, you need to balance it. They have kits for a few bucks in the fan area. It's a weighted clamp and some adhesive weights. It will come with instructions.
I've never corrected a wobble by adjusting screws unless they were loose to begin with.
I've never corrected a wobble by adjusting screws unless they were loose to begin with.
#9
01-12-16, 12:30 PM
Listen to Gunguy. Fans are balanced by weights on the appropriate blades, not by tightening screws.
You can even balance blades by taping pennies to the top side of the blades. Takes time but you will soon find which blade(s) reduce the wobble when weighted and then adjust the amount of weight for smoothest operation.
You can even balance blades by taping pennies to the top side of the blades. Takes time but you will soon find which blade(s) reduce the wobble when weighted and then adjust the amount of weight for smoothest operation.
#10
01-12-16, 12:41 PM
I followed the instructions given at 3 Ways to Fix a Wobbling Ceiling Fan - wikiHow
Method 1 is Tightening the Screws, method 2 is Fixing Blade Height Issues, method 3 is Balancing the Blades. I want to fix it because the glass bowl fell on the floor.
I am surprised that they put "balancing the blades" as a 3rd method, but I will follow your advice and purchase a blade balancing kit, instead of a right angle screwdriver.
Method 1 is Tightening the Screws, method 2 is Fixing Blade Height Issues, method 3 is Balancing the Blades. I want to fix it because the glass bowl fell on the floor.
I am surprised that they put "balancing the blades" as a 3rd method, but I will follow your advice and purchase a blade balancing kit, instead of a right angle screwdriver.
#12
01-12-16, 01:01 PM
#13
01-12-16, 02:06 PM
First determine if the box the unit is mounted on is a fan rated box or not. That IMO is the first place to start as it may be an improper installation that is causing the wobble. If the fan move or wobbles just by touching it and not turning it on, that would be a good sign it is the box itself.
#15
01-13-16, 06:10 AM
The screws that attach the blades are all tight. The fan doesn't move or wobble by touching it.
#18
01-13-16, 01:33 PM
I always preferred a ratcheting off set screw drive. More torque and easier to put pressure on the screw blade so it doesn't slip.
A quarter inch drive socket drive and screw driver bit adapter could also be used.
A quarter inch drive socket drive and screw driver bit adapter could also be used.
#19
01-14-16, 04:17 AM
Unless the house is a new one, see post #13. Z makes a very good point regarding the fan rated box. IF it is not fan rated, then you have more work to do. Non fan rated boxes cause more wobbling than blade imbalance due to looseness of the box itself and the way the fan brace is attached to the box.
#20
01-14-16, 06:15 AM
It's an apartment in a building, built in 1982. It's not a house. How can I know if it's a fan rated box? The next floor is the roof of the building.
#21
01-14-16, 06:57 AM
The box should be labeled or have special mounting provisions for a ceiling fan.
If the apartment is rental you should contact the landlord to address this issue.
If the apartment is rental you should contact the landlord to address this issue.
#23
01-14-16, 08:52 AM
Your fan mount is a ball and socket type. It is designed to compensate for some angle in the ceiling.
The box can be solid as a rock and you can rock the fan a few degrees by hand. Wobble requires balancing.
The makers used to check the blades and pack them as balanced sets, but I don't know if they bother anymore.
The box can be solid as a rock and you can rock the fan a few degrees by hand. Wobble requires balancing.
The makers used to check the blades and pack them as balanced sets, but I don't know if they bother anymore.
#29
02-15-16, 07:19 PM
Do I need to unscrew the 2 screws and then take a picture?
Does someone needs to be below to grab the whole fan so it doesn't fall?
Does someone needs to be below to grab the whole fan so it doesn't fall?
#30
02-15-16, 08:49 PM
Do I need to unscrew the 2 screws and then take a picture?
Does someone needs to be below to grab the whole fan so it doesn't fall?
#32
02-21-16, 01:36 PM
I don't see the second ear on this box, and it doesn't appear to be fan rated. Normally the ears are not utilized in securing a weighted object such as a fan. 10-24 bolts are used in holes that actually have their threads in the body of the box. You have conduit, so you are going to have a rough time retrofitting any type box.
#33
02-21-16, 01:59 PM
Here is another picture of the fan box
Sorry, I'm not a handyman (but trying to be, at home), plus I'm french born, so I didn't understand all the words you used. What is an ear? Is it where you put the screw?
Do you think that I can fix this wobbling ceiling fan with my actual device, or do you think that I need to buy a new fan box? a new ceiling fan?
Sorry, I'm not a handyman (but trying to be, at home), plus I'm french born, so I didn't understand all the words you used. What is an ear? Is it where you put the screw?
Do you think that I can fix this wobbling ceiling fan with my actual device, or do you think that I need to buy a new fan box? a new ceiling fan?
#34
02-21-16, 03:43 PM
What is an ear? Is it where you put the screw?
The box is not intended for use with a fan. Since you have conduit (pipe the electric wires run in) it is probably too difficult for you to replace the box. Hire an electrician to do it. When you have the correct box the fan may work okay but we can't say for sure.
