Electrolux Model LX maintenance

[davidleatherman]

Hello all!
I've been cleaning recently with an old LX I inherited from my great grandfather. He took immaculate care of it, but I was just wondering what other maintenance I should be preforming? Definitely want this thing to last a long time, its by far my favorite vacuum I own.

 

[electrolux137]

~
~


I'd love to see some photos of it! Good on you for wanting to keep it for a long time.

 

[caligula]

Electrolux LXI

Hi David:

These machines are basically indestructible and if your great grandmother took good care of it all you need do is enjoy it. As long as the ejection system works don't monkey with it. The only thing I suggest is minor work on the cord winder. Pull out the cord then put some baby powder in your hand and let the cord rewind. Dust the cord about once a month and it will retract easily, aside from that you should be good to go.

This is my favorite machine too.
Alex Taber.

 

[real1shep]

Well.....

I don't know what your experience is with small electric motors, but I'd be going through the motor entirely: new bearing where possible, testing the armature, new brushes, dressing the commutator down with a stone tool to break in the brushes. The motor is the absolute heart of any canister vac, so I'd be spending the most time there. If the wiring is aging, consider replacing it all with appliance wire or auto wire. Then there's the hose and what to do to preserve it. All kinds of stuff in here about rejuvenating old leaking hoses...read it all with a grain of salt. Also depends if it's going to be a shelf queen or a DD.


 


Kevin

 

[kenkart]

The Motor

On these will practically run forever, if its quiet and smooth let it be,

 

[tolivac]

If the motor is working well and quiet-------LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!

 

[vacuumlad1650]

I would recommend replacing/greasing the two Ball-Bearings if they are noisy. If you do open it, clean the fans, blow everything clean with an Air Compressor and check the carbon brushes for wear (replace if less than 1/4")
These are easy motors to work on!
A

 

[vacuumlad1650]

Oh, and make a new after filter for the motor. It will run quieter and catch the carbon dust from the motor.
A

 

[caligula]

I agree with tolivac.

Don't monkey with the motor, LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!

 

[real1shep]

Not being argumentative...but why the taboo on the leaving the motor ALONE? Why not at least check the brushes and bearings?


 


Kevin

 

[dch112]

I agree to replace the brushes. I replaced the brushes on my XXX a week ago. They were down to about 3/8". Better to replace the brushes before they wear down to nothing and damage the commutator. If that happens you will be sorry. The new brushes are 1 1/16 of an inch.

 

[electrikbroomgu]

Old Electrolux motors

I would for sure be pulling that motor out and at the very least checking the carbons and bearings. Considering that this vacuum dates back to the 1950's it is going to need attention. Grease dries out. Fans get clogged with dirt. And carbons wear with regular use. Unless this is a very low mileage queen or there is some verification on prior service I would suspect the former. 95% of the older metal bodied Electroluxes we get need the above done to them and some need replacement bearings and carbons and sometimes new armatures. And more often than not the motors sounded just fine. It's always best to catch these things before they happen because let's face it parts for these are not growing on trees anymore. And remember the following-

1) Early Elux paper bags were not very good at filtering out dust. Cloth bags were also a guarantee that some dust made it's way into the fans and motor.
2) Dust and dirt in the fans throws them out of balance and shortens there life
3) Worn out carbons create excessive heat and arcing which can quickly do in an armature.
4) Dry bearings are easily identified by excessive growl on wind down. The original bearings used in these are very hearty. However leaving them dry for extended periods will cause them to wear out quicker