I have a model NTG3075FBA5 Heil gas furnace, approximately 10 years old. The blower motor has begun to intermittently make squealing noises and I suspect the motor bearings are about to fail. I have located a source for the proper 1/3 HP motor foir just under $100.

The problem is I do not see an easy way to access the blower motor. It is attached to the right side of the blower housing, and I can see I need to remove the blower housing to get it out. But the 4 screws that hold the blower housing into the housing hanger brackets screw from the *inside* of the blower housing. They can not be accessed without completely removing the heat exchanger. The housing hanger brackets themselves are screwed into blower partition with 6 or 7 screws each and can not be accessed without massive dismantling of the heat exchanger section because they screw in from the top. Who the "heil" designed this thing?

Am I missing something? I have replaced the exhaust blower on this furnace and saved a lot of money doing it myself. I have two of these furnaces and suspect that I will have to replace the blower motor on the second furnace soon as well. I would really like to save the money and do this job myself. Any ideas on the best way to dismantle this thing to get the blowers replaced or is it best left to an experienced Heil HVAC tech?

Any DIY advice would be greatly appreciated.

The blower housing should set on a flat bracket. Remove the two screws and slide forward to remove the blower housing.

Ah yes. I see now, after more careful inspection of the furnace with a flashlight, that each hanger bracket is actually two pieces and the housing should slide out by simply removing a single screw at the front of each bracket. This does not even show properly as a two-piece part on the exploded diagram in the Technical Support Manual, which is what confused me. But it does make sense that the furnace would be designed to make the housing easily removeable so the motor can be replaced. I have the motor on order for one furnace now, and will replace the second proactively to avoid breakdown in a few months if the repair is easy enough (and if I ordered the correct motor).

Thanks for the help.