The ball bearing well (housing) for the MAMCO ES-176 motor used in the
Craftsman Electric Mini-Tiller-21A-154A799 ( 316.292600 ) is facing
the armature (the open side is facing the armature) and a spring
retainer over the ball bearing in the opening is keeping it in place.
This spring retainer may not be able to restrain the bearing when
overheated and become dislodged and cause itself and the armature
along with the ball bearing to move towards the back or brush end of
the motor. This may cause the overload switch on the handle of the
tiller to pop out and may eventually cause the motor to burn out. It
may be possible to secure the spring retainer in place by drilling
four 1/32” holes near the rim of this ball bearing well and secure the
spring retainer in place by inserting two wires or paperclips through
these holes (one wire for two holes) and wrapping the ends over the
ventilation slots.