Generation fans
Wolffie,Starting at about the Heritage all Kirbys used a grey plastic fan.(Previous metal fans were great but nothing is perfect and they would often break a corner off a blade with abuse such as rocks,nails,pennies,etc.)With age and use the grey fan will first develop tiny evenly spaced cracks which become bigger with use causing possible 'wobble' and then will break away usualy in a circle.The condition described above with paper can also happen on new carpet with much lint and fuzz if bag not changed and fill tube fills.Seldom any permanant harm to motor.A grey fan showing cracks should be changed to the new white fans which will probably never give trouble.A grey fan that is good on a low milage machine can be left alone.Changing fan is not that difficult is you have mechanical skills.I DO NOT remove front housing,instead removing motor rearward.If needed I or others can explain.There are no bad Kirbys but the Sanitronic,Legend & Generation seem the best.I have many accesories if needed later.--Happy Vacuuming--Jimmy