Kirby Heritage Issues

[dandagreer]

Picked up a nice Kirby Heritage 1 from CL last week. The belt lifter was mangled so that the screw for the lifter was actually metal to metal with the belt power take off grinding. Ordered new parts and fixed that. Now, when I turn it on, the motor is very slow and labored despite being no obstructions. New belt; made sure nothing is touching in the rug nozzle. When you lift the belt off, it runs as normal.

Was thinking it could be:
1) Seized brush roll, which does not seem to be. It turns freely when spun.
2) Front bearing has gone bad? But there is no scratching or whine?

Can anybody help me get this old girl back up to snuff?

Thanks!

 

[super-sweeper]

carbon brushes,

It sounds as if you need to replace the carbon brushes. Ben edge, or resident Kirby guru, will be able to tell you the exact part number you will need.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Alex,

I agree. David needs to read this.

According to this page from the Heritage II service manual, his problem might be one of these two issues:
1. Defective armature - check armature, replace if necessary
2. Misaligned field and bell housing - check alignment, adjust or replace parts as required

~Ben

 

[dandagreer]

Thanks

Thanks everyone; that at least gives me a place to start!

 

[kirbyvacuum]

Kirby Heritage

Hi Dave the same thing happened to me easy fix sounds like the Carbon brushes One of my best friends made the repair it works as good as new it is now 28 years old. the last of the Kirbys that looked like the 500 series.I have a Kirby 511 ( 63years old still works. They dont make them like that any more Doug