Kirby Ratchet Pedal Problem - How To Fix?

[kirbyclassiciii]

How do you resolve the problem of the toe-touch control (front wheel bracket shaft) going down all the way when you attempt to adjust downward? Could it be a problem with the ratchet teeth or with the ratchet spring?

I am presently facing this problem on my 1972 Classic.

One solution I might think of doing would be to stretch the spring but slightly. Another would be to get a new ratchet spring (1331).

What do you guys think is a long-term solution, other than replacing the front wheel bracket shaft?

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

I had the same problem with my g6. I asked Kent oyler he said once in a while they don't work. I can't remember but he said replace with a new one. I tried switching out everything but it just didn't work. I believe grooves wear and pushing dowvn strains axle. It's weird but replacing is only true remedy.
Les

 

[huskyvacs]

Les is right. Before I became a vacuum collector and I was looking up how to fix the wheel on a Ultimate G Kirby, I remember reading a post about the foot pedal and front wheel. The person said that once the front wheel falls off, or the toe-touch pedal stops locking into place, they will never work properly again and will just break again later if a repair is attempted. The only way to fix them is to replace the entire part with a fresh one.

It has something to do with wear on the metal due to heavy use or rough care. I guess it is a similar thing to how the belt spindle on a Hoover Convertible can wear down to an hourglass shape just from friction of the belt over several decades. One of those weird times a part will wear out microscopically and very slowly.

 

[blackheart]

One solution

Hit it with a hammer! Seriously. remove the front axle and the adjustment lever then tap on the height adjustment "channel". An old Kirby repair man told me that over time the channel might become loose so you hammer it to tighten it. It's worked for me a few times now. Just don't overdo it!

 

[lesinutah]

Yes

But the tension of pressure when you use the toe touch doesn't go anywhere it basically flexes the axle which leads to more problems. I have a bunch of Kirby's around 50 but only 20 right now. It only happened once it's a fluke but switch out off parts machine or order new one.
Good luck been. Not that you need it. It feels nice for once to have the answer to one of your questions.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Lesinutah

Les,

The ratchet lock might also be a problem, as that was what my Dad said to me after having worked on it.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Ben

You have to replace axle and whole toe touch assembelly. It bows the metal it's hard to explain but all the parts are Carnage basically all needing replaced. Be sure to take wheels off the bowing could crack the wheels. In my case it cracked the wheels. It took me the longest time to get good at installing toe touch. I seriously had no idea what I was doing. I called Kent he laughed at me and explained how. I also had issues taking bags off and twisting emtors. I'm well versed now but the toe touch springs would fly across the room. This was when I managed to ruin the cr1 cb1 and cb3. I learned a lot of what not to do.
The issue now is taking off g series belt lifter and reinstalling. Those wVy washers get me.
If you need parts let me know I think I have a few extra axles and complete toe touch assembelies.
Les

 

[kirbyvacuum]

Toe Touch control

Had this trouble twice with my Heritage 2. Went to my local dealer they replaced then both times (Kirby Deal free(.I cleaned two churches they bought two new ones every two years.One year bought between family friends and churches SEVEN so i could get anything i wanted.A new G-4 paid 275.00 for entire unit right out of the box.I would not use anything but kirby.one church was very large so i used a g6 made my job half the time love the g series to

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Problem Solved!

The problem I was facing with my axle (131669S) ended up being with the inside teeth and not the ratchet lock (133069). As it turns out, the inside teeth were grounded away from years and years of use.

I hence switched to the 131673S axle, which still had good inside teeth, and the action is perfect again!

~Ben

 

[louvac]

I've had the same issue

I've had the same issue with several Kirbys over the years and discovered that someone at some time tried to grease the height adjustment mechanism which is what caused the slipping. I was told by a Kirby repairman that the height adjuster should not be greased (or OILED ) at all. When the unit is assembled there a very light smear of grease that is applied and he stressed, "very light" smear on the teeth. Nothing more. I also found that cleaning it good using Simple Green or ordinary dish detergent corrected the problem. Often times dirt and foreign debris accumulates in the mechanism and it just needs to simply be removed, cleaned and then reassembled. Try it and let us know how it works!

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Louvac

Lou,

I may try what you suggested some time whenever I get around to it. Thank you!

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I'm not sure why you wouldn't grease that area. Metal on metal alot of friction and compression. You have to lubricate metal otherwise grind and ruin. That's how I see it to each his own.
The axle looks like it's out further from the angle shown.
Glad you got it fixed.
Les

 

[louvac]

The reason why

The reason why you don't want to grease the height control mechanism is because the grease is what causes the slipping. This is what I have been told. Greasing the mechanism would also attract more carpet fuzz and dirt to stick to the metal.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Louvac

Lou,

I am afraid the issue with my pedal is general wear of the teeth. The grease cleaning did not help. Thank you for the tip, anyway.

~Ben

 

[lesinutah]

Spring

Inside the ratchet the spring I grease and along where toe touch engages. Im not saying you are wrong. If it's worked for you don't fix it. It could be something I do that's Overkill but it is necessity maybe to reassure the voice in my head.
I grease and Clean both every 6 months. It's my OCD it's not needed but I do it anyway.
Glad to see you got it fixed Ben it's a beautiful machine and rebuilding with your father makes it even more special. You can't buy those moments.
Les

 

[louvac]

Glad to help!

Hey Guys!

This has just been my experience. It does make sense that you should grease interlocking gears, but in this case the gears are not operating at any great speed--they're just a notch or stopping point. So, is grease really necessary?

 

[lesinutah]

Yes

The ratchet spring, ratchet up, ratchet down and the axle are all effected by using toe touch.
Les

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

Possible Solution Found

I think I found what the real problem with my Classic falling down from position 7 is: the ratchet lock (133069) itself!

I am going to obtain a new 133069 ratchet lock, and use that to see if the problem stops ultimately.

~Ben

 

[rodknock95]

Heritage II

My Heritage II has this problem