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Is your Makita angle grinder not working? Whether it won't start, keeps cutting out, has lost power or is producing excessive sparks, the problem may be caused by a worn or damaged component.
The good news is that many Makita angle grinder faults can be repaired by replacing an individual component rather than replacing the entire tool.
In this guide, we'll look at some of the most common reasons a Makita angle grinder stops working and the Makita spare parts you may need to get it running again.
There are several reasons why a Makita angle grinder may stop working. Some problems are simple to diagnose, while others require further investigation.
Common causes include:
The first step is to work out exactly what your grinder is doing — or not doing.
If your Makita angle grinder does absolutely nothing when you switch it on, there are several possible causes.
Before looking inside the grinder, check the basics.
Make sure the power socket is working and that the grinder's power cable hasn't been damaged. If you're using an extension lead, check that as well.
Never use a power tool with a damaged cable.
Worn Makita carbon brushes are one possible cause of a grinder that won't start.
Carbon brushes are a consumable component inside many brushed Makita angle grinders. As they wear down, they can eventually lose proper contact with the motor's commutator.
Depending on the model, replacement brushes may be identified by a CB number such as CB-303, CB-318, CB-325 or CB-459.
Always check your exact Makita model before ordering replacement brushes.
If your grinder starts but then stops during use, the carbon brushes or switch could be worth checking.
However, intermittent operation can have several causes.
A worn brush may make inconsistent contact with the commutator, while a faulty switch can also cause the electrical connection to break intermittently.
If the grinder cuts out particularly when the tool becomes hot, overheating or another internal electrical fault may also be involved.
If your Makita grinder still runs but doesn't seem to have the power it once had, several components could be responsible.
Possible causes include:
A motor that is struggling under load shouldn't simply be ignored. Continuing to operate a tool with a developing fault can potentially cause further damage.
A small amount of sparking at the brushes can occur during normal operation, but excessive or unusual sparking can indicate a problem.
Possible causes include worn carbon brushes, a damaged commutator or a problem with the armature.
If you notice significantly more sparking than usual, stop using the tool and investigate the cause before continuing.
Worn or damaged carbon brushes may not make proper contact with the commutator.
Replacing them may resolve the problem if the brushes are the cause.
If new carbon brushes don't solve the problem, the Makita armature may need to be inspected.
The armature is the rotating part of the motor and works together with the carbon brushes and field coil.
An armature showing signs of burning, damage or excessive wear may require replacement.
A grinding, rattling, rumbling or unusual mechanical noise can indicate a problem with the moving components inside the tool.
Worn Makita bearings can produce increased noise and vibration.
Bearings support the rotating components of the motor and gearbox. As they wear, they can become noisy or develop excessive movement.
If the noise appears to come from the gearbox, worn or damaged gears may be responsible.
If the grinder has been heavily used or overloaded, inspect the gearbox components for signs of damage.
Some heat is normal when using an angle grinder, particularly during heavy cutting or grinding.
However, if your grinder is becoming excessively hot or overheating much faster than normal, there may be an underlying problem.
Possible causes include:
Make sure the ventilation openings are clean and aren't obstructed by dust or debris.
If the grinder continues to overheat, stop using it and investigate the cause.
The switch is another component that can fail over time.
Signs of a potentially faulty switch include:
Makita uses different switches across its range of angle grinders, so make sure you identify the correct part number for your specific model.
Depending on your model and the fault you're experiencing, some of the most commonly required Makita angle grinder spare parts include:
The exact component required will depend on the Makita model and the fault.
Makita has produced a large number of angle grinders over the years, and different models use different replacement components.
Some popular models include:
If you're searching for a specific component, try searching for your Makita model number followed by the part you need.
For example:
This can make it much easier to find the correct replacement.
Before ordering a replacement part, identify the exact model of your angle grinder.
You can usually find the model number on the tool's rating plate or casing.
Once you have the model number, use the relevant Makita parts diagram to identify the component.
The diagram will normally show an item or reference number, which corresponds to a parts list containing the actual Makita part number.
Search using the complete part number whenever possible.
This is particularly important with carbon brushes, switches, bearings and other components that can look very similar between different Makita models.
In many cases, yes.
One of the advantages of buying Makita spare parts is that individual components can be replaced instead of throwing away the entire tool.
A worn pair of carbon brushes, for example, can be considerably cheaper to replace than an entire angle grinder.
The same applies to many switches, bearings, gears and other service components.
However, whether a repair is worthwhile depends on the age and condition of the tool, the cost of the replacement parts and the amount of work required.
One of the most important things to remember when ordering Makita replacement parts is that similar-looking tools don't necessarily use the same components.
Always check:
If you're unsure, check the relevant parts diagram before ordering.
If your Makita angle grinder is not working, don't automatically assume the tool needs replacing.
The problem could be a relatively simple component such as carbon brushes, a switch or bearing.
Identify your exact Makita model, find the appropriate parts diagram and use the part number to locate the correct replacement.
With the right Makita spare parts, you may be able to repair your angle grinder and extend the life of a tool that's already served you well.
