Nutribullet Bearing Replacement Tutorial

A noisy Nutribullet base is almost always a sign of a failed seal, not just worn bearings. Once the seal between the bearings and the blade starts leaking, lubricant washes out of the bearings and they begin to rust and grind. Replacing only the bearings without also replacing the seal will damage the new bearings almost immediately, which is why a proper repair kit should include both the bearings and a matching seal. Follow the steps below to remove the old bearings and seal and fit new ones correctly.

Before You Start

The blade assembly uses a reverse thread, so it unscrews in the opposite direction to a normal screw. Hold the rubber gear at the bottom steady and turn the blade clockwise to loosen it. On a newer unit this is usually easy by hand; on an older, more seized unit you may need extra grip — vice grips on the rubber gear and a cloth wrapped around the blades work well. Take care with the blade edges throughout this step.

Step-by-Step Replacement

1. Unscrew the blade assembly. Turn the blade clockwise (reverse thread) while holding the rubber gear steady underneath. 2. Remove the blade and rubber gear. Note the order of the small parts as you take them off — there's a yellow washer, a white washer, and a white rubber spacer that all need to go back in the same sequence. 3. Remove the three retaining screws holding the base assembly together. 4. Lift off the metal plate and remove the black rubber washer underneath it. 5. Flip the base over to expose the original seal and the two bearings. 6. Pop out the old bearings. They're a tight press-fit, so use a small flat-blade screwdriver (or similar tool) positioned against the outer edge of the first bearing, then tap the handle gently to drive it out from the back. Newer units usually come out without much force; older, more corroded units may need firmer taps. 7. Fit the new seal into the base, making sure it's facing the correct way. 8. Tap in the new bearings. Use a small hammer and a block of wood (or similar buffer) to gently drive each bearing fully into place. Don't overdo it — hitting the bearing in too far can squash the seal, ruin its sealing ability, and make it difficult to refit the blade afterward. A couple of gentle taps is usually enough to seat the bearing firmly without damaging the seal. 9. Reassemble in reverse order. Refit the black rubber washer, metal plate, and the three screws, then refit the blade assembly with its washers and tighten by hand as firmly as you can — the reverse thread will continue to tighten itself naturally during normal use.

With the new seal and bearings correctly fitted, the base should run quietly again, and the self-tightening reverse thread means you don't need to over-torque the blade during reassembly.