1998 Kirby G5.....rebuild??

[airway77]

Hi All,

Monday, I became the proud owner of my aunt's 1998 Kirby G5. It is in okay condition post-cleanup, but it was all but destroyed when I received it. My aunt abused the poor machine beyond reason (the bag had not been changed since 2012...), and it actually blew its motor to the point that a fire extinguisher was necessary to quench the "result" in 2011. My uncle paid nearly $600 to have it rebuilt by House Of Vacuums in High Point, NC, who did a very thorough job (despite being very crooked salespeople). However, 4 more years of abuse has killed the TechDrive, as it doesn't even make the distinctive noise anymore (it will also roll freely in Drive when the machine is UNPLUGGED), clogged the fill tube and belt/nozzle cavity. It also looked like it had survived a Cold War Nuclear Attack. I gave them an Electrolux Genesis upright as it is a lower-maintenance machine (geared belts are hard to break and the bag is easy to change).

I have spent the last several days cleaning it with 409, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, Lysol Fabric Refresher, and Mothers Mag Polish. After a new bag, belt, and good cleaning out, it cleans wonderfully (as any Kirby should!!), but the aggravation of the transmission failure, some bad scratches in the metal, and the oh-so-familiar smelly outer bag (she used dollar-brand CarpetFresh...) are causing me to consider sending it to Kirby for a rebuild.

If any of you have used the Kirby Rebuild Program, what luck have you had?? Also, how much does it typically cost?? Money is an issue here...and genuine Kirby usually ain't cheap...

I LOVE the G5, but if I can't get rid of stank-bag and have the TechDrive fixed reasonably by Kirby (or a reputable dealer), it's really gonna bug me...

 

[human]

It sounds like you know what you're doing when it comes to working on those machines. You may be able to get the parts affordably online and do the work yourself. Brand new outer bags are available for $35-$50 and used, working transmissions aren't too bad, either. If you go the factory rebuild route, I believe it would probably be much cheaper to send it in under your aunt's or uncle's name--or have them do it for you--as the original purchaser.

 

[airway77]

1998 Kirby G5

One little problem...they bought it used from House of Vacuums on High Point, NC in 2003. I have no idea who purchased the machine new and really don't care to find out.

I think I could probably fix it. I tried to get the outer bag off, but it appears that the zip tie was GLUED at some point. That will definitely pose an issue here. Also, with there already being some major third party work invested in the G5, I can't help but wonder if the TechDrive was modified or damaged somehow. It never seemed quite right after it was rebuilt...

With all of the issues here, I'm really interested in the Kirby Rebuild Program. I will feel much more comfortable with a Kirby-trained technician with access to NEW parts looking into it. Is the rebuild program worth the money?? I'm going to call Kirby tomorrow and see what I can find out price wise...

 

[rainbowd4]

Rebuild price from kirby is $350, plus shipping, for any model from a non original owner.

 

[sptyks]

I would definitely go with the Kirby rebuild program for $350. Your G5 will come back looking and working like brand new.


 


 

 

[airway77]

1998 Kirby G5

I like the idea of the Kirby Rebuild, but I'll need to scrape up the money....


I might have Griffin Vacuum in Greensboro, NC fix the TechDrive. They do good work and stand behind their products and repairs. I can keep buffing it with Mothers Mag Polish and sand the scratches out myself. I'll give Griffin a call later and see what they have to say...

WARNING: If you are even in the NC Piedmont-Triad Area, NEVER go to House of Vacuums in High Point, NC. They are very pushy with Miele and will stoop to any low to sell one. I learned that when my grandmother's Electrolux Marquis went in for a tune-up (they were offering some kind of family discount since my aunt bought the Kirby there) and came home with the incoming electricals messed up, which fried the bag check light, power nozzle, and the motor barely survived. They even had the nerve to send home a flyer on the receipt offering her only a $10 trade in value for it if she bought a Miele S5 Capricorn at full retail value (this was before the S8 launched). Thankfully, we have a wonderful Aerus dealer in Salisbury, NC, who repaired it for a reasonable price.

I WILL NEVER DO BUSINESS AT HOUSE OF VACUUMS, AND I ADVISE ALL OF YOU TO STAY WELL AWAY FROM THEM.

 

[miskini]

I would save the money for the rebuild, instead of paying Another hundred bucks to a repair shop.
Or buy a used Kirby at a thrift shop and strip it for parts. You can get used kirbys at goodwill for under 20 bucks. Go to YouTube and search Kirby techdrive removal.

 

[human]

No need to search. Here's the procedure.

http://www.goodvac.com/kb_results.asp?ID=16

 

[gottahaveahoove]

WOW! THat is very COMPREHENSIVE and

very KIND to do that.
The V.C.C.C. sent a 1960s model to Kirby for a total rebuild. We then raffled it off. I must say: it looked great. I've no doubts it performed as it did when new. I was impressed, although Kirby is not my species.
Best of luck. IF I were a Kirby guy, I think I'd do the rebuild.
John

 

[airway77]

1998 Kirby G5

Screw it, I'm done!!!

I honestly don't feel like digging into this thing. It's a very well-built machine and a good performer, but with all it's been through, I'm not taking a chance on screwing it up further. All childhood nostalgia aside, I'm not the biggest fan of the G5 color scheme, and mine looks like it survived World War II which makes it worse.

HOWEVER, I have tried a G4 and really liked it. To me, it felt much more refined and smooth compared to my G5, even though it is a model older. I know the G5 was the first major revamp of the Generation/Sentria/Avalir design, so I feel that it must have been the experimental model for that design run. I also like the grayish-blue on chrome color scheme and the more squared-off design of the headlight hood and nozzle. The TechDrive was a bit noisier, but it also was more smooth and controllable than the G5 was from the time it was purchased.

So....are G4 machines reliable? I know they are not too expensive now and are everywhere on eBay. I really want one...are they worth it? Or should I stick with the G5?

 

[pr-21]

The biggest difference other than color is they rounded out the headlight starting with the G5 (beautiful color scheme) and they put the brush roll indicator light on the opposite side of the G4 and have continued that way since (this puts it on the same side as the bag, so you have better edge cleaning at least on the side without the bag. I did send mine for a rebuild to Kirby and it came back with the smoothest transmission in any of my Kirby's including the Avalir.

As far as appearance goes from G-4 thru Avalir. In my opinion the Sentria II and G 5 would tie for first place. My Sentria II has a very smooth transmission as well.

Of course I like the Avalir as its color scheme reminds me of the older vacuums of the 40's especially the 505 with Black and red accents. Plus it's the 100th anniversary model (according to Kirby).

 

[sptyks]

If you were to send the G5 to Kirby for rebuild, this is what will happen:


 


They will replace the old transmission with a brand new one. When you get it back it will run like a brand new machine.


 


The outer bag will be replaced as well so it will look brand new.


 


The motor will be disassembled and cleaned and be completely overhauled.


 


The brushroll will be replaced.


 


The wheels will be replaced.


 


All exterior aluminum will be sanded, polished and buffed to a brilliant shine.


 

 

[airway77]

1998 Kirby G5

Trust me, I know the Kirby rebuild will be the most thorough overhaul it could possibly receive, but I really don't see the point in spending $350 plus shipping when a local dealer claims to have a G4 with the hose/attachments refurbished for $199 and both G4s and G5s are all over eBay for reasonable prices in good shape.

Aside from the differences between the G4 and G5, I assume the G4 is pretty much identical mechanically? I know the TechDrive was revamped for the G5 and again for the Ultimate G: Diamond Edition, but I loved the G4 I tried as it was the smoothest TechDrive Kirby I've EVER used (it could easily outdo the Sentria II that my grandmother had home-demonstrated). I also love the oh-so-1990s blue/gray fade with the script G4 on the handle, blue-gray/black bag, and the dark smoky gray attachments, cord, and trim. I find it much more aesthetically pleasing than the dark maroon of the G5 and to be honest, I don't like the rounded headlight design. I like the "boxy" G3-G4 design better.

Just my two cents....

 

[rainbowd4]

As far as kirbys go, on the very rare occasion that I use one, I like my heritage 84, and classic III. I like the self propelled models ok, but when they are turned off, they are much heavier and more awkward to maneuver around than the pre-g series.

 

[airway77]

Pre-Generation Series Kirby

Rainbowd4,

I have used a Tradition and a Heritage 84 before, and while they are excellent performers, I found them way too heavy and bulky with the HUGE nozzle.

Part of my reasoning for a G-Series is the fact that my 86-year-old grandmother will be using it some. She is in NO condition to push a non-TechDrive Kirby around on the plush carpeting of her new home she is fixing to move into. She is a meticulous housekeeper and needs something that is easy to push while running. She also wants something that I can use when I'm there that can do it all without the need to transport multiple machines back and forth. Her new house (retirement community development) has a weekly cleaning service, but they use Oreck XL Commercial vacs for the floors and there is an extra fee for anything other than floors as far as vacuuming goes. They clean the whole house, but they don't vacuum furniture.

A Kirby Generation Series is really the best option for us. Easy to push, plenty of power, and can be converted to do pretty much anything without much hassle or the need to have several separate vacuums taking up space.

As I have said, the G5 is going. I'm looking out for a nice G4.