Anyone good with diagnosing DeWalt 18v drill issues?

webdog

Hi, I recently purchased a used DeWalt model DW987 Hammer Drill. The drill cosmetically is in pretty good condition. However when I went to use it I noticed a couple of problems.

One was an electrical stink "smell" while testing it out. I've done some research of this issue online and it seems this may possibly be the brushes. I'm guessing if that's not it, maybe it could be the entire motor of the drill?

I also found that it makes noise mainly going one direction at top speed. When you slow it down from 3 to 1, it's hard to notice the clunky noise. If you're at top speed with the noise and change the direction, the noise isn't noticeable. Would this most likely be an issue with the transmission?

I think this is something I could probably fix, I was just hoping that someone with more experience with these DeWalt drills could chime in and tell me what is likely to wear out first, so I'd know where to start looking.

Thanks for your time.

thehammer01

Hey Webdog, Ray the Hammer with some 411. I've got the same drill, it may be a different model because it is almost 10 years old, and mine had the same smell when I first got it, and the "clunk" noise I attributed to the higher speed in position 3. The smell went away (or maybe I don't notice it any more), and the noise is still there.
I use my drill often and it's still going after 10 years. I have asked other people about the same thing and their response is the same as mine.
That being said, in addition to being a blacksmith, I also work at Home Depot and people have asked me this same question... I tell them about mine and they seem happy with the response, and go on there merry way.
I've always associated that smell with those old electric race cars that I had as a child, and they always worked fine until I lost them or my sister broke them. Maybe it has to do with the brushes being " worn in", but I'd love to hear other responses to this myself
Man I miss those cars.
Ray the Hammer

webdog

Thanks Ray for the information. Most likely I'll end up using this drill not all that often, maybe for a kitchen remodel and maybe other places where I need the bigger hammer drill. Also when the time comes to put up a new fence I'm sure it will get some use.

The guy I bought it from didn't seem to think it was messed up. To be honest I probably wouldn't have bought it, but I got it in a package deal with some other DeWalt 18v tools and he threw in the hammerdrill for next for nothing. I just didn't want the thing to get worse or cause more damage when the time comes where I will really want to use it.

thehammer01

You are quite welcome. Like I said, 10 years and still going. You made a good decision and I don't think you'll have any problems.
Ray the Hammer