Kirby brush height query

[gob]

Hi
I have a Kirby Sentria G5 (approx 15 years old).
We are struggling with the head height adjustment. It either spins too freely and doesn't pick up or the next notch down is too low and the brush stops spinning.
I have tried the different brush settings (1.. 2.. & 3..) but neither help.

Could this mean after all these years we are ready for a new brush?

thanks for any suggestions.

 

[vacuumkid47]

Do you know what kind of belt is in it? You may have to change the belt but also checked if it is a knurled belt, which has a textured pattern on the inside of the belt, and if it is not, replace the belt with a knurled belt.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url...ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCPDkmNyB_u4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

 

[rivstg1]

if you turn the Kirby upside down, looking at the brushroll fiber against the metal head bottle plate.....if the bristles protrude at least 1/16th of an inch, ( on whichever brushroll height is set) then its okay. 1/16th protrusion is the minimum length recommended by Kirby..

 

[human]

Check the Brush Roll and Belt...

Kirby brush rolls are adjustable to, I believe, three different mounting positions as they wear down. This allows you to get the most out of your bristles before replacing the brush. To adjust it, remove the floor nozzle from your Kirby and pull the brush roll out of it, observing the brush roll ends to see which Roman numeral is facing into the nozzle. Then rotate the brush ends to the next higher number and reinsert the brush roll. As others have said, it may be also be time to change the belt. They do stretch out and lose elasticity over time, even if they still look okay. I would just do it as a general maintenance item since you have things apart already.

Once you get everything back together, the proper method of adjusting the brush height when running the machine is to put the floor nozzle at its highest setting before turning it on, then gradually lower it until you hear a change in the pitch of the motor, then click down one more notch. You'll now have firm contact with the carpet and you'll be amazed what it will pick up.

 

[lesinutah]

Spring

In the toe touch/ height adjustment or stripped assembly. This wouldn't cause the brush to stop spinning. Either a lose belt or a broken belt or belt not engaged to the motor shaft.
In layman terms check to make sure the belt is off the lifter on the spindle. Make sure the belt isn't loose.

 

[blackheart]

Sounds

It sounds like your belt is worn and should be replaced, It takes a fair amount to stop a brushroll with a "healthy" Belt So i'd change that first and see if that fixes the issues.

 

[huskyvacs]

Trust me - it takes a lot to stop a Kirby belt. They can suck an entire throw rug into the nozzle and the belt will still be trying to spin the brushroll. lol

The easiest and quickest solution to try first is new belt, make sure it is on there correctly, then make sure you set the nozzle to the right height. I doubt the brushroll itself is at fault, as I have never seen them go bad even on severely rusty vacuums.

 

[gob]

Thanks all

The belt does indeed have a split in it so I suspect that in not performing optimally.
Looking to find a genuine replacement.

Cheers!

 

[human]

eBay is the place...

My go-to for that sort of thing is eBay. Go ahead and order a multi-pack to reduce your unit cost. Belts do need replacing periodically and it's way more convenient to have spares on hand to minimize down time.