DIY motor swap - '18 Kenevo

[Dax]

After almost two years of perfect reliability, the motor in my '18 Kenevo failed, so I swapped out the motor.

Its a nice easy job with minimal tools needed:
- allen keys
- 13mm deep socket & ratchet
- chainring spider lock ring tool
- thermal compound
- die-electric grease (or vaseline)

Remove the battery.

Loosen the chain device and move it up out the way, unhook the chain (no need to break the chain).

Remove the crank arms using Allen key, and chain ring spider using the special tool.

Remove the three side covers, by undoing the obvious allen bolts

Undo the cable clamp bolt for the battery cable and unplug the battery cable, there is a retaining clip on this plug.

Unplug the controller and the speed sensor wires. Be careful, these are very small wires. I used a pair of pliers on the plug body.

Make sure you unplug the three blanking plugs too.

Move the wires safely out the way and undo the three 13mm nuts that hold the motor in. Move the shift cable up out the way and pull the motor out

Clean the frame and plugs. Clean off the old heat sink compound from the frame and reapply.

Fit the new motor, be careful not to pinch the wires when fitting and mounting it. Grease the plugs and blanks to keep moisture out, then refit them and the battery cable.

Put the covers back on, refit the spider and cranks. Torque up the cranks and spider to 50nm.

Test ride

 

[krisrayner]

I ended chasing creaking noises on my Levo until I finally took it back apart and used Loc-tite on the chainring locknut, crank arm bolts, and plastic motor cover bolts. If you develop any noises, check there first. Also used thermal paste on mounting flanges of the motor, around the studs. That stuff works amazingly well.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

Nice! How did you acquire your new motor, and how much did it cost?

 

[Nashy]

I'm struggling to get the lock nut off the drive side. I have the special tool. Is the direction clockwise to to undo or anti? Thanks

 

[Zimmerframe]

I'm struggling to get the lock nut off the drive side. I have the special tool. Is the direction clockwise to to undo or anti? Thanks

Anti-clockwise to remove.

Also remember, if you need to use a puller to remove the spider, don't pull against the shaft or you'll pull the large drive pulley against the belt cover, put a 24mm socket over the shaft and possibly a washer over that - depending on sizes.

 

[Nashy]

Anti-clockwise to remove.

Also remember, if you need to use a puller to remove the spider, don't pull against the shaft or you'll pull the large drive pulley against the belt cover, put a 24mm socket over the shaft and possibly a washer over that - depending on sizes.

It turns but doesn't undo does that mean the motor is damaged internally?