AO Smith Hot water Heater Direct Vent FASCO blower motor bearing replacement 

My blower motor was making a LOT of noise and then seized due to a failed 608-SS bearing. Fortunately, the seized rotor did not overheat and blow the motor windings. I (eventually) put in two replacement 608-RS bearings ($4.30 each from Motion Industries, Tukwilla, WA - not sponsored).
To get the direct vent motor fan (not the blower), I had to punch the shaft. I also punched the shaft where the rotor mounts because it became separated from the shaft as well.
These are very expensive to replace.
Time estimates:
• Remove or replace from the HWH: 5 minutes
• replacing the bearings ~1 hour first time due to everything seized on the shaft.