This procedure should work for most all Hoover self-propelled vacuums regardless of age.
Caution! Be sure to unplug your vacuum before performing any service!
All Hoover self-propelled vacuum cleaners have a power drive assembly located in the nozzle area near the brush roll. (key number 16 in the drawing below). The Power Drive Assembly is powered by a flat belt that runs from the motot shaft to a pulley on the Power Drive. Direction of drive is contolled by a cable that runs from the handle all the way down to an actuator lever (number 42 in the drawing below) attached to the power drive.
If the self-propel is not working there are several possible causes. The easiest to check is the belt. Remove the bottom plate and then the nozzle top cover. If the belt is broken, stretched or has fallen off the pulley, it needs to be replaced.
Next, check the cable where it should be connected to the actuator lever (number 42). That location is the most common area for the cable to break or loosen up. If the cable is broken or badly frayed it should be replaced. More on that later. If the cable is just loose then you should be able to just tighten it back down. With the actuator in a neutral position and the handle/body released so that it lays back a little; position the cable under its retainer so that there is no tension on the actuator either backward or forward. Tighten the cable retainer. Now push on the handle grip forward and then backward. You should see the actuator move slightly in both directions. You may have to fine tune this adjustment several times until you’re satisfied that with no pressure on the handle grip the actuator is exactly in neutral, and that only slight motion on the handle grip moves the actuator in the proper direction. When you’re satisfied, plug your machine in and try it for real.
To replace the cable; remove the screws from the back of the handle grip and pull the old cable out. Simply run the new cable down and follow the above procedure to tighten and adjust it.
Replacement cables should be available from most vacuum repair shops, search the internet or directly from our web site at http://vacuumcleanershop.com/Hoover_parts_by_upright_number.htm
We appreciate all feedback. Please leave a comment and let us know if this post was of any help.
5:12 pm on December 15th, 2008 1
This post was very helpful, especially as it has a part diagram. I have a broken actuator lever on my U6473-900 and have now removed the “power drive assembly”. How do I remove and replace the old actuator level?
I am guessing that I have to remove the nut on the far end of the black plastic pulley on what I will call the transmission axle. Then, by popping the little clip, which I believe is called an “e-clip”, off of the shaft on which the actuator level pivots, I can pull the rubber cluthes and pressure plates.
At the same time, I think I should replace the transmission axle pulley, as it has a tiny chip in the surface upon which the flat belt rides. To do that, do I pull the axle all the way out. Slop the old pulley off, the new one on, and replace the axle, while at the same time I replace what I call the cluth plates and actuator level assembly. (My name for it)
TIA
11:42 am on December 16th, 2008 2
Tia,
The Actuator Lever (#42 in the drawing) is the only replaceable part on the Power Drive Assembly. To remove it; first remove the retainer screw that holds the cable in place, then remove the e-clip that is just to the right of center on the Actuator Lever, bend the ‘L’ shaped metal bracket up slightly and remove the old Actuator Lever. Replace with a new one, secure with the L bracket and e-clip and reattach the cable. Follow the procedure in the original post above to adjust the cable. Clutches, pressure plates and pulleys are not available separate, you would have to replace the complete power drive unit.
4:18 pm on December 21st, 2008 3
Any idea what size washer and screw are needed for parts 29 and 30. My Actuator Lever broke at the screw eye and I don’t have the screw or washer.
Thank you.
11:46 am on December 22nd, 2008 4
I don’t think you’ll find these parts at any hardware store as they are made specifically for this Hoover Steam Vac. If you call us at 1-877-822-8227 we’ll look them up for you.
9:18 am on January 2nd, 2009 5
the on off switch does not work I hear a click for the off but not the on It does not come on
5:42 pm on January 3rd, 2009 6
Group;
Thank you for your website and forum. We have a Hoover Windtunnel upright purchased in the year 2000 about nine years ago. Model is Mach 6.1 This is a self propelled model
We are starting to get a burning smell. I have cleaned all the filters/ and or replaced them. The vacum has not overheated and has not cut out.
Any suggestions?
12:46 am on January 26th, 2009 7
I have a 10 or 12year old Hoover self-propelled wind-tunnel, (green case with Y bags), that just quit in the middle of vacuuming. Model is U6425-900. Any ideas on what is wrong?
Thanks
12:28 am on February 1st, 2009 8
The switch(part-13) brush on-off control; on the front of my Hoover self-propelled fell off an the plastic switch fell into the vacuum,how do I fish it out, Thanks
2:58 pm on February 1st, 2009 9
How do I repair my Windtunnel 6.1 - it keeps shutting off, probably overheating. Is there anything I can do fix it?
6:34 pm on February 3rd, 2009 10
The troubleshooting of the Hoover Self propelled Windtunnel vacume realy put me in the ball park. Does the power drive assembly have to be removed to replace the actuator lever, item 42. The end of actuator lever that the cable is attached to is broken. If the power drive has to come out can you give me a tip as how to remove it.
Robert
12:31 pm on February 4th, 2009 11
How do I remove the green plastic cover over the motor and power drive?
Model u6425-950
1:04 am on February 5th, 2009 12
I hope I can find my way back to this site. I have a commercial janitorial business, and lost all my equipment in hurricane Rita a few yrs back. To “make do” until I could recoup losses, I bought a few hoover self propelled windtunnel vac. It has been about 4 yrs now.. and I am still using them. That is really incredible considering the fact that they cover an area of about 18,000 sq ft every nite. I do run into some problems now and again.. this site should be very helpful.. thank you
6:12 pm on February 5th, 2009 13
Thanks so much for your help diagrams were great;will now place order for replacement parts from you, Thanks Jerry G
5:48 pm on February 8th, 2009 14
I have a Wind Tunnel vacuum and the self propel quit working. The plastic piece where the cable hooks into the clutch arm is broken. How do I get into it to replace the clutch arm?
Thank You,
Betty
8:45 pm on February 12th, 2009 15
How do I replace the “handle foot petal release”?
3:17 am on February 19th, 2009 16
I have a Hoover Windtunnel from years ago and there was a recall that I think was due to faulty on/off switch and possible overheating if it wouldn’t turn off. We received a letter to go in to get the problem fixed free of charge and did. I don’t remember what year it happened, but I think it was after 2000. You might be able to look up Hoover recalls online somewhere. Hope this helps.
Laura
10:00 pm on March 5th, 2009 17
I replaced the actuator arm today,and after putting back together,I encountered two more probems.
1) The switch for carpet/hard will not budge when I tilt the handle forward until I bring the handle almost all the way down.At that point I can move the switch to hard,but the brush does not stop spinning.
2) When I move the handle forward,I can’t get the self-propel switch to the off position.
Steve
10:45 am on March 9th, 2009 18
Have a new Self propelled Hoover Model # U64636-900. My self propell cable is broken and this model # is not on the drop down list. Was wondering if somehow I can find that part # and somewhere to get it from??? Info and diagram here are VERY helpful.
11:16 am on March 9th, 2009 19
where can i get a cable for the newer U6436-900 series ???
8:42 am on March 13th, 2009 20
How do you remove the hood of the vacuum to get to the cable?
12:22 pm on March 29th, 2009 21
hoover window bagless shuts off when warm
3:24 am on April 21st, 2009 22
I like this site. Thanks for the information. I hope there is someone here to answer as I don’t see any recent posts from the vac pro.
I have a Hoover Windtunnel S3639 cannister that is just barely a year old. Friday the power nozzle stopped turning. Also the “dirt finder” lights are not on but I think that may just be a bulb or two.
Is the power nozzle/agitator operated by the fuse? I am hoping it’s not something that is very expensive as I do like the machine.
Thanks for any help you can give.
6:23 pm on April 22nd, 2009 23
I have replaced both the flat belt and the v belt, the brush will turn when I hold it up out of the floor. The brush will not turn when it is down on the carpet, the v belt bows up and will not turn the brush roll. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
6:27 pm on April 22nd, 2009 24
I have replaced both the flat belt and the v belt on my Hoover bagless. The brush will turn when I hold it up off the floor but will not turn when when I lower it onto the carpet. The v belt bowes up and will not turn the brush roll. Any help will be appreciated.
1:15 pm on April 29th, 2009 25
Brush does not rotate. Belts are o.k. the hard/carpet lever just flops around. It is either broken or disconnected but I can’t see inside, and how to disassemble is not apparent. I don’t see a key for your parts diagram, but it is either parts No.4 or 13.
Model U6439-900
11:25 pm on May 20th, 2009 26
Thanks for the info regarding replacing the actuator arm! Mine broke where the plastic surrounds the nut/screw holding the cable (probably from lifting the machine using the end handle instead of lower down on the body). My only hesitation was not knowing how to remove the top cover to gain access to the actuator arm, but I figured it out! Thanks for giving me the courage to try! I crazy glued the 3 broken pieces together to form the hex nut shape, and it works! We’ll see how long it lasts…surprised myself!
Anyone wanting to know how to disassemble the cover, e-mail me smjmtpdx@hotmail.com
9:03 am on May 27th, 2009 27
Our Self Proplled Model U6617-900 has a broken part #41. This was found when replacing the drive control cable. The spring was shoving the piece against the control lever and I have no way of knowing what it looked like before broken. I have ordered the parts to repair but am in need of a good picture of what it looks like assembled. The diagrams do not show what or how the sping rests against to either hold the valve door open or shut. Can you help?
4:16 pm on June 14th, 2009 28
This was just the kind of information I was looking for. Great site.
Larry