Hoover Junior 1338

[rob_89]

Hello all,

Just wanted to share a recent ebay purchase, and ask for a few tips from anyone out there familiar with servicing these cleaners.

Am I correct in thinking this is the second 60's style Junior cleaner after the rose/white model? The overall condition isn't bad, with matching grey cable (this is only around 2-3m long, presume it has been shortened at some point?) and handle grip in good condition. The bag is obviously a later replacement and completely shot, though a genuine paper bag installed was a surprise!

So far I've plugged it in outside- the motor came to life slowly and seemed slightly erratic. What would be the first points to check, the brushes perhaps? The belt spindle doesn't seem to have any play in it, so hopefully the bearings are ok.

I may change the cable as it is so short and appears a little worn with age- the plug is discoloured inside around the terminals with heat. Would it be safer to fit a 3 core cable and earth the metal outer casing, or is this unnecessary?

Thanks, any help is appreciated.

Rob

 

[rob_89]

Handle grip detail

In great condition, love the logo on this.

 

[rob_89]

Disassembly

Now stripping the cleaner down, and am a little stumped at how to remove the motor. Can anyone shed any light on this for me? I'd like to check the fan etc, make sure the bearings are clean.

So far I have removed the screws around the exhaust alloy housing, and the black plastic motor housing...there is one behind the switch which seems to be inaccessible. Could there be another disassembly step I've missed to make it easier to remove?

Cheers

Rob

 

[rolls_rapide]

Earthing

Check the data plate, I think this series of Junior is double insulated, so earthing is not necessary, but do check!

That motor might have had four screws, two of which might be completely hidden by the motor itself. I think you need a long-handled screwdriver to remove them. I've a feeling that later models may have made do with only two screws, but can't be sure.

Also, the motor rubber gasket might be perished/stuck in place, acting like glue.

 

[twocvbloke]

The juniors I've had have all had 4 screws for the motor, the two easily accessed ones you can see in that pic, and two on the opposite side of the motor that you need a long-reach screwdriver to access and undo, and yes, the seals get a bit sticky and glue the motor to the fancase which is fun to remove!!!

The bearings, they're easy to replace once you open the motor up (I think it's 3 or 4 screws to split the motor case), the front one you can get relatively easily, not sure about the rear one, but remember that the rear bearing must be oiled only with 3-in-1 oil, not greased which ruins the bearing (assuming it isn't already knackered through lack of maintenance, which could also mean the armature may be worn down)...

The description of the motor struggling to spin up to me sounds like the bearings are desperately in need of attention, but replacing the carbon brushes wouldn't go amiss...

Parts are available here, though I'm sure you could go to a local vac shop and ask them to order in parts from their Qualtex catalogue (my local vac shop does!!)...



http://www.vacuumcleanersparesuk.co...earch.x=0&search.y=0&search=ACTION&PR=-1&TB=A

 

[rob_89]

Thanks for your replies!

I did manage to remove the final screw after locating a long enough screwdriver, and have opened up the motor. Carbon brushes are around an inch long, perhaps ok for now? I'll disassemble it properly tomorrow and take a look at the bearings- thanks for the tip about 3in1 oil, I'll be sure to use that. The motor does turn smoothly by hand, not sure how free-spinning it should be though.

I am hoping to restore it for as little money as possible- the agitator will definitely need new bearings I think. I'm hoping to use the green bag as a pattern and make a new grey bag close to the original design.

Will post some pictures of the project as I go.

Rob

 

[twocvbloke]

The carbons sound long enough, one of my Juniors had something like 4mm left on it's brushes (the 1346 I think), so they had pretty much had it!!

The motor should turn relatively freely with a slight resistance, if it turns too freely, the front bearing is dry, these are pretty cheap anyway so you might aswell buy a new one, and the rear one usually they shouldn't give much trouble so long as they're oiled properly...

And to clean the rear bearing, take some cotton buds, soak the tips in oil and wipe out the inner race until the tips come out clean, then pour oil into the bearing and wait for it to absorb, you may need to out the bearing on some kitchen roll as some have a hole in the back (I haven't a clue why, defeats the object of holding oil to keep it lubricated!!) which leaks oil, you just have to angle the bearing so that the hole is above where you're pouring oil in, then you're set to reassemble...

The brushroll bearings can be serviced too, you just need to pull off a round clip (fiddly job), pull the bearing apart over a bowl (the balls will drop out), swish it all about in solvent to de-grease them, if the balls look smooth and shiny without any putting, just smear grease onto the bearing race and stick them on, if the balls are looking rough, you need new bearings, again they're pretty cheap to buy so you might aswell buy new ones...