How The #@&% Do You Get This Kirby Belt Lifter Off???

[suckomatic]

I'm trying to restore this Classic III.(which is in far worse shape than it looked in the Ebay photo).
I have a new belt lifter to put on it, but I can't figure out how to get the old one off.
I could just break it off, I guess, but I'm afraid I might break important retaining clips or something.
I've sprayed it with penetrating oil and pried it to the breaking point with a screwdriver, but it doesn't budge.
Thanks for your time.
I really appreciate all this Vacuumland help!

 

[bikerray]

See part number 10 in the diagram? It's on the inside of the nozzle, it should just slide off and then the belt lifter will come out the front. That clip is in the slots on the belt lifter and keep it from coming out. Sometimes you may have to pry it out of the slots if it doesn't slide.

 

[caligula]

Cute kitty, my Caligula would have liked him.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Suckomatic

Here are a few pictures from a CIII service manual (courtesy: chicagomike) to assist you...


 


~Ben

 

[suckomatic]

Thanks Bikerray!

I saw that clip. I thought it was part of the belt hooker thing. Now it makes more sense. Thanks.

 

[suckomatic]

Whoa!

That diagram is WAYYY clearer than mine.
Thanks Ben!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Suckomatic

Kelly,


 


You're welcome!


 


~Ben

 

[suckomatic]

Ya Know....

Somebody could have warned me about how difficult it is to change the belt lifter on a Classic III.
I'm very mechanically inclined, and have been taking things apart and rebuilding them since I was a child, but THIS frackin' thing! I mean, holy FART.
It would take Stephen Hawking with three functioning hands to get this right.
I managed to wonk it up so badly, I'm just going to buy a whole new carpet nozzle.

 

[pr-21]

Replacing belt lifters on the G series is much easier, than the older models.


PR-21

Bud

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Suckomatic

Kelly,


 


http://www.ebay.com/itm/KIRBY-CLASS...243748?hash=item568cca1e64:g:H-YAAOSw9mFWKqXo

(you may find this link interesting -- but it has no lifter assembly included, so you will have to buy one of those, too.)


 


~Ben

 

[suckomatic]

Yes, Bud. Thanks. lol

I imagine EVERY model is easier than the Classic III.
It's that stupid useless window, sorry, the "Belt-O-Vision", or whatever they called it, that makes it so complicated.
I wonder how that even made it into production. There's no light inside the nozzle. It's black as night in there. You can't see a thing!
Useless.

 

[suckomatic]

Thanks Again, Ben.

Nice find, but that would put me right back where I started.
I've had plenty of fun trying to assemble that #@&% lifter.
I am done.
This is what I had in mind....

 

[gottahaveahoove]

wow

Those are pricey.
I remember a church were I worked had a Classic Omega . Just getting the belt ON the cleaner was tedious.
Best of luck with that part.
John

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Suckomatic

Kelly,


 


Good luck!


 


~Ben