I'm sure this has been asked before, so I apologize in advance for not being able to find the reference. I've read through threads on the AO Smith motor, Mickyd's rebuild thread, ShopSmith's exploded diagrams and the docs on Everett's Google Docs archive, but I've been unable to find a reference to what appears to be an anomaly in how my motor was assembled.
I inherited a 1955 Greenie, S/N 294169 that hadn't been run in at least 25 years. So I've begun the process of attempting to restore it and get it running. After getting the motor out I replaced the switch and power cord and that enabled the motor to start. However, slowing turning the motor shaft produces a grinding sound. So while I've got the thing apart, I thought I would try to replace the bearings.
At the end of the motor drive shaft is what looks like a nut. The parallel sides of it are 1" apart because it fits my 1" wrench perfectly, but I can't figure out how to remove it given that the shaft spins of course, and I can't seem to compress the spring enough to get something on the shaft to hold it in place. The spring appears to press right up against the nut and I don't see the retaining ring and washer that are described in the resources I found.
It is not uncommon for me to overlook the obvious, so I certainly won't be surprised if that is the case here, but can someone provide me a clue as to what I'm missing, please?
Thanks for your help,
John