Solved Fan potentially broken after removing grilles

[Cross Bones]

Well, this is embarrassing.

During a recent overhaul of my computer, which has yielded countless issues (see here for more info on that), I decided that I could help address my dying fan's issue by giving it more air. I gave it more air in the form of breaking off the little grilles that prevent stuff from getting in it with a pocket knife. This was the result.

Afterwards, I was feeling very proud of myself for not breaki- Crap. I start the bootup sequence and get an error saying my fan isn't working properly. Hmm. I restart it again and, oh boy was that message wrong. Immediately I get a noise direct from Satan himself; the loudest squeal a Chinese fan can make. At this point I'm wondering how badly I screwed up. Any ideas?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

What are the chances you got some of the grill down into the fan and blades? See if you can move the blades and if hung up then try to dislodge any obstructions.

 

[essenbe]

The simplest solution is get a new fan.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I agree with Steve—the simplest solution would be a new fan—but, from looking at the photo, it appears the edge of the brace above and to the right of the word "Foxconn" may be bent on the left side of the brace down into the impellers. If so, bending it back up might fix it (then again, it might not). If not, it's possible the impeller shaft is binding in the bearings. In that case, manipulating the impeller might free it up (then again...).

 

[Cross Bones]

That brace is actually quite small, it's just the little piece of electrical tape holding on the FOXCONN logo that makes it so big. I trimmed it down some, and manipulated the fan a whole bunch. It's quieter now, but still not as quiet as I would like it to be. I'll see about replacing it shortly. Thank you all!