Kirby Heritage 2

[gregingotham]

I have a Kirby Heritage 2 and the motor has seized up. Is it possible to get a new motor and replace it? The repairman says it can't be fixed. Where would you find a replacement motor if available?

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

gregingotham

Greg,

I have seen a couple of new armatures and motor fields for your machine on eBay.

But first, I would do what Eric recently suggested: check to see if one or both the motor bearings have dried up. The motor might also not run at all if the carbon brushes are worn down.

~Ben[this post was last edited: 1/28/2019-18:33]

 

[ericl1245]

could be the bearings, try replacing both bearings, one is in the fancase and, and the other one is on the rear of the armature. if that doesnt work, replace the armature and field coil.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

It can be fixed.

Motor parts are easily available.
First is to find out what seized and why.
Bearings are cheap, about 6 each. A puller is needed for the back bearing (but a tool can be made if one is handy).
Finding a parts unit from Omega to Legend would have all the parts you need. My Kirby shop here has many of them.
Even new motor parts are available, just much costlier.
You might need a new repair person, as it sounds like he just does not want to mess with it (no good detail of why it seized).

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

If you are looking for parts it's cheaper to buy motor housing unit.
For example I paid $35 for a heritage 2 legend 2 motor unit. I was buying d80 armature and coil. I bought a a set for $70. The second set I bought a whole vacuum for $65. I look for all alternatives. I have a heritage 2 motor and armature and anything else you need. I'd save you money and we both benefit.
Send me an email to [email protected] parts list and cost I'll have them shipped tommorow. I'm not looking to make money just reduce inventory. Hit me up and I'll send pics of everything you name price I can tell you shipping and ya it's late I'm rambling.
Les

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I can install new bearings and carbon brushes I can assemble no cost. I literally have a whole legend 2 sitting here and I assembled alot of vacuums. So if you want a motor unit with fan bearings carbon brushes field wiring it will run. I think your Kirby repair man is lazy. I can guarantee what I sell you runs and works. You name a price I'm not breaking down parts the vacuum will be running as you request.
Les

 

[rugsucker]

Let's go back to basics.

The Heritage is a quality vac with 1000s still in daily use.
"--repairman--"There can be at least 3 attitudes here.
1-Look at it for 5 seconds,tell customer it can't be fixed and they should buy my Super Brand X.
2-Know it's a good vac and if customer likes it find the real problem and have customer choose level of repair/restoration.
3-Has never seen a vac this old,has no parts,says can'be fixed.
It is rare for the motor shaft to not turn unless extreme abuse/moisture.First check for cracked/broken fan or object in fan chamber.Then look at everything else.You may have a simple repair instead of major problems.

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Or...

4 - He knows it is a good vac and hopes the customer will leave it with him for 'parts', then he changes the $6 bearing and resells it for 100...

 

[madman]

The real question is, do you want to tackle this yourself?

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

There is lots of you tube videos. There is a few heritage videos. Pay attention to the screws take pics and either buy amazing needle nose vise grip pliers because a screw will be stripped and the right vice grip pliers you can twist out not having to drill out. The screws by exhaust and the bearing plate screws are the area's I have had issues.
It's not really hard or scary. Bearings can always be fixed always. Do you wash off the bearing pop off the access to the berry spray it was water w40 quit trying twist doesn't work continue continue continue until the bearing is moving freely and it is lubricated with WD-40 and you pop it back on it is very easy to fix bearings they can always be fixed unless they are melted your Kirby guy is lazy and this is not a hard task.
Les

 

[gregingotham]

thanks all

for the responses. i think i will try to take the apart myself and see if i can figure out what is broken. Then i might post a pic on here to see if you can help me diagnose.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

gregingotham

Greg,

Here's the appropriate pages from the Heritage II service manual to assist you... good luck!

~Ben[this post was last edited: 1/30/2019-18:15]

 

[texaskirbyguy]

You can do it! )

Check this thread out for lots of disassembly, restoration, repair, and assembly tips and tricks:
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?34091_7
Take lots of clear close pictures in case you need the references later.

Here is my Tradition and Omega restoration threads, which use the same motor and general parts as yours; there may be some good pictures or procedures in them as well.
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?33957_31
https://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?33991_12
Keep us posted!

 

[st3phxxx]

if anyone is interesnted i have a kirby heritage ll video here the old 1985 instructional video

 

[rivstg1]

What happened to the audio feed?i guess the video does all the 'talking' visually

 

[texaskirbyguy]

I hate videos with just music and no useful narration, and hate them even more when the music is annoying. (This one is not too bad).
Given this is just 3-4 minutes, hopefully it was just a musical take from the full video user's guide tape (which should be more like 30 minutes).
I have the tapes from the G5 and G6 - need to watch them and see what they are like. I would expect some narration on them.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

st3phxxx

Steph,



Here is the real version of that video.

~Ben

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Ahhhh - this is more like it; good job, Kirby.
Thanks for the upload, Ben!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

texaskirbyguy

Rob,

You're welcome!

~Ben