Kirby G5 Transmission question....

[thunderhexed]

I've noticed that lately, when using my G5, the transmission will engage when pushed forward, but it won't when I pull it back. The only time it will engage on the reverse stroke is if i give it a firm jolt back. It will work for a few minutes and then start acting up again. Any ideas of what would cause this?

 

[louvac]

Cory,

I have a good hunch what is wrong. I don't know what it is called, but there is small metal lever with a rounded end that engages the transmission in either direction. That lever is worn and is no longer making constant contact with the next lever or socket that it reacts with. It's a minor thing. It actually looks like a metal flat finger that engages the proper direction. It's actually not hard to replace but when I had mine done on a G4 (or was it a G3--I don't recall) it took the Kirby dealer a few seconds to install a new one for me.

More than likely it's not the tranny.....also, check the rear wheels which do loose their traction and require replacing more often than one would think.....

 

[thunderhexed]

Tranny

Thanks for the info! I'll check it out! The only downside is, the only two Kirby distributers are both nearly an hour away from me in opposite directions!

 

[centralvacs1928]

I think that little metal "finger" may not be your problem -- all that does is select between neutral and drive, and when it wears out you know it because the machine 'clicks' when you have it turned off and in Neutral and are rolling it across the floor.

On your machine that's self propelling easily in one direction but not in the other, I would check the handle pivot "slide" and its little roller bearing strips. Sometimes they can just get sticky, so the handle slides one way but not the other. A little WD-40 should do the trick.