Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers - Low Whine From Humidifier - Help!

We have a 4 year old Honeywell bypass humidifier. I took out the wheel to replace the pad for the first time (my bad, I didn't know) and after I put it back in, the humidifier began making a low whine on the left side where the pin from the wheel inserts into the motor that turns it. I've tried re-installing it and spraying the pin w/ WD40, and nothing works. The noise, although low, is awful and carries through our whole house through the ductwork. Any suggestions? Could I just leave the wheel out and let the hot air blow over the water pan? Would that get us by? Should I just replace it?
Thanks!
Jennifer

Is the noise coming from the motor on the humidfier itself or it could be the water pressure on the float.

Turn the water off that feeds the unit.. see if that goes away.. If that's the noise, the the pin on the float may need to be cleaned.

From pvt msg.

Hi Jay -

Thanks for the reply to my post - I really appreciate it. I emptied the water pan in the humidifier and turned the water off. I cleaned the float the best I could...and I see there is a tiny pin where the float connects to the wall of the unit...is that what you meant? I cleaned the hard water deposits off of that, too. I can't figure out how to remove the float/pin to give it a thorough cleaning...so hope it works.
Thanks again

It's been awhile that I've been around the float style.


Is this what you got? Read on... http://hbctechlit.honeywell.com/techlit/PDF/69-0000s/69-1110.pdf

Yes - that's it! I just cleaned the float and pin area really well with a toothbrush, then turned the water back on. So far, no noise today...but it comes and goes, and it's so nice here that the furnace hasn't been running much today.
Thanks!