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Having trouble changing a belt? Need to replace a fan? Steam vac not spraying solution? Want to save on that repair bill by changing a vacuum motor yourself? Whatever vacuum cleaner problem you have – large or small we can help. Just leave a comment below, we’ll publish a reply as soon as possible.
How to change the belt on a Kenmore “Power Mate” vacuum cleaner power nozzle
Remove metal wands from power nozzle and place on a work bench. Push in at area shown and lift light cover off.
Remove 2 screws. Remove light bulb; push in and turn counter-clockwise.
With flat blade screwdriver; pry top cover upward as shown (on both sides). Remove top cover.
Remove old belt. Remove brush roll.
Now is a good time to clean behind caps. Pry the end caps off and remove any hair or debris.
Install new belt: place left side of brush roll in place first, place new belt around right side of brush roll, place other end of belt around motor shaft. Pull brush roll toward you and secure brush roll in place. Turn the brush roll by hand a few times to make sure everything is in place before applyong power.
A while back my rainbow powerhead started get hot and making a high pitch noise. I took it apart and put a drop of oil on the bearings and checked the brush roll. The noise went away briefly and now has returned. I think its a problem with the motor. Is there some thing I can do or should the motor just replaced? I also wanted to mention that I had this vacuum repaired by a store repairman. I’m not sure if he put something back wrong when he put in a new brushroll…
No power to motor. Tracing it, we have no power on motor side of line just after a small, silver connector that looks like a diode. Not sure what type it is, could it be a small fuse? Can you get us a replacement?
No power to motor on Rainbow D4. Tracing the line we found a small silver fitting that looks like a diode. No power after (motor side ) of the thing. Local Radio Shack can’t identify the small part, think it is a diode, but is it a fuse? What is it and where can we get a replacement?
I have a Hoove Windtunnel Mach 3.8 model U5461-900 non self propelled. I purchased a cord and found out it is not as easy to replace as one might think. I can’t seem to get to the motor or wherever it is that the cord attaches to the vacuum. I would appreciate some help.
Changing The Actuator Arm on a Hoover Self-Propel Vacuum Cleaner
Always be sure your vacuum is unplugged from the electrical outlet before performing any kind of service!
Tools and materials:
Torx bit or driver size T-25
Flat blade screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Actuator arm – Hoover part number 43143046 – Can be ordered below.
Hoover Actuator Arm – $6.99 – Free Shipping!
Place your vacuum cleaner upside down with handle resting on the floor and brush roll housing resting on a work bench.
Remove 4 screws from rug plate and set rug plate aside.
Remove power drive belt, brush roll belt and brush roll.
Remove 6 screws as shown. Also remove duct hose cover and small plastic section that was under brush roll in upper left corner.
Place vacuum right side up on top of work bench with handle all the way back. Using a flat blade screwdriver; gently pry the top cover away from the bottom housing in the area shown by(#1) arrows. Leave the 2 adjustment knobs(#2) in place.
If the self-propel adjustment cable HAS NOT broken away from the actuator arm, proceed as follows; mark the position of the cable(#1) in relation to the cable retainer with a black magic marker to avoid having to readjust the cable position. Remove the screw(#2) (usually a Torx T-25 size screw) and cable retainer. Next, using a flat blade screwdriver; slide the ‘C’ ring (#3) off the metal post. Bend the metal bracket up off the post just enough so you can lift the damaged actuator up and off the post. Slide your new actuator arm back over the metal post. Slide the ‘C’ ring back over the post.Lock the self- propel cable back in place with screw and retainer. Test to ensure the power drive is adjusted correctly; CAUTION, YOU ARE ABOUT TO COME VERY CLOSE TO MOVING MACHINERY, NO NECKTIES, NECKLACES, LOOSE SHIRT TAILS,UNACCOUNTED FOR TOOLS OR CLUMSY FINGERS ARE ALLOWED FOR THIS NEXT STEP!!! Reinstall the power drive belt, plug your vacuum cleaner back in and turn it on. Check to make sure the handle is in the neutral position; observe that the power drive is NOT moving. Push the handle slightly forward. You should see the power drive wheels move in the forward position. Pull the handle back, you should see the power drive wheels move in the reverse position. Some finer adjustment may be necessary.
If the power drive cable has broken away from the old actuator; just try to get the new actuator arm as straight as possible. Using the handle and while observing the cable moving back and forth through the retainer area; move the cable all the way forward, then pull it all the back, try to gauge where the middle of the forward and reverse position would be and lock the cable down. Perform testing procedure as in previous paragraph. Again, some fine readjustment may be necessary.
Remove Bag/Mini-Emtor Assembly; Rotate Mini-Emtor (#1) counter clock-wise and lift off from discharge hole.
Depress tab to release bag strap from upper handle.
Depress release button and remove handle assembly.
Remove Phillips or Torx screw (Depending on Model) from cord cover, Remove cord cover and nplug cord.
Remove screw (#2) securing cord to back of machine.
Remove brush roll nozzle assembly; Rotate belt lifter assembly (#1) counter clock-wise until red triangles on Nozzle Label and Belt Lifter are aligned, turn nozzle latch(#2) to left to release nozzle.
Remove screw from plastic Scuff Plate and remove Scuff Plate.
Remove 2 screws from rear of Motor Cover.
Remove 2 screws from front of Motor Cover and remove Motor Cover.
Some Ultimate G models have a Speed Switch. Just slide the Speed Switch carefully to the right to remove it from the motor cover.
Remove the 5 screws from the fan case and remove the fan case.
The fan case is sealed with silicon sealant at the factory. It may be necessary to pry it off or tap with a hammer and large flat blade screwdriver as shown in this photo.
Place a narrow screwdriver or ice pick throught the hole in the fan pulley.
The fan pulley is screwed on to the front of the motor armature. The back of the armature has a flat spot. The flat spot is located directly beneath the Handle Pivot Spring (#1) and in front of the smaller plastic Power Drive Gear (#2). Using a 9mm open end wrench on the flat spot as shown (#3), hold the armature still while turning the ice pick or screwdriver on the fan pulley to the right (reverse threads).
Using 2 flat blade screwdrivers; pry the broken fan off the motor shaft. Note the position of all parts and be sure and replace the new parts in the correct order. Wipe or vacuum any dirt behind the fan.
Install new fan.
Place a thin bead of silicon sealant all the way around the outside of the fan case before reinstalling.
Reassemble all parts. Spin fan pulley by hand a few times before applying power to ensure all parts move freely.
Step1: Lift Top Cover to expose latch(1) and belt lifter(2).
Step 2: Turn Belt Lifter counter Clock-wise to line up red triangles on belt lifter and label on nozzle. Turn latch counter clock-wise and remove nozzle.
Step 3: Turn belt lifter clock-wise to align green triangles on belt lifter and nozzle label. Belt should now be off the belt hook.
Step 4: Rotate bottom plate latches(1) and remoze bottom plate(2)
Step 5: Remove Brush Roll and place new belt in center of brush roll.
Step 6: Kirby brush roll end caps are 4 sided and are numbered 1,2, 3 and blank which corresponds to the length of bristle that extends past the rug plate. A new brush roll shows the number 1 on the rug plate side. After approximately 1 year, turn each end cap to the next number so more bristle sticks out and then finally install a new brush roll and start over. If you’re not sure how much your bristles have worn, just place two credit cards flat against the rug plate in line with the bristles. Bristles should stick out even with the 2 credit cards. The most important thing to make sure of is that the end caps have the same number showing on each side. Reinstall new brush roll and belt into nozzle and replace the rug plate and lock the rug plate latches.
Step 7: While looking at the rear of the rug nozzle; rotate belt hook counter clock-wise until red triangles on belt lifter and nozzle label are aligned and belt is completely on belt hook.
Step 8: Reinstall nozzle and rotate nozzle latch clock-wise to lock in place.
Step 9: Turn Belt Lifter clock-wise until green triangles on belt lifter and nozzle label are aligned. Your belt should now be properly installed on the fan pulley. Close top cover.
Cleaning tip: Your Kirby is most effective at cleaning carpet when the brush roll nozzle is at the right height. Some people think that the lower the brush roll, the better the cleaning. That’s just not true because if the nozzle is too low it cuts off air flow and you are in effect “plowing” dirt. To adjust your nozzle to the perfect height; always start with the nozzle in the highest position. Turn your Kirby on and adjust the nozzle ratchet with your left foot to the highest position. Adjust the nozzle down one position at a time until it just hits the carpet (you’ll hear a change in noise tone). Your Kirby is now at the perfect position for cleaning carpet.