vibragroomer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2009
- Messages
- 112
Somewhere on the forum someone was wondering if Kirby will rebuild a vacuum for non-original owners. The answer is yes -- for $350 plus tax and shipping both ways! Ouch!
Kirby Rebuild
- Thread starter vibragroomer
- Start date
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kenmore81
Well-known member
Wow it wasn't me that asked but,
I was seriously considering it after seeing how good Sam's came out,but I can't afford that for some time.
I was seriously considering it after seeing how good Sam's came out,but I can't afford that for some time.
None of my Kirbys have been rebuilt & since I got them from estate sales & from when previous tenants/homeowners leave things behind or receive them as gifts. If I took any for rebuild, I'd be paying big $; so I'll keep them as original as possible.
Kirbys In my collection:
Classic 1CR (came with all original tools + tools from different mdl Kirby)
DS80 (best Kirby I have)
Classic III
G3
Omega (most powerful Kirby I have so far)
Kirbys In my collection:
Classic 1CR (came with all original tools + tools from different mdl Kirby)
DS80 (best Kirby I have)
Classic III
G3
Omega (most powerful Kirby I have so far)
kenmore81
Well-known member
My DS80
Is in desperate need of a new Brush roll, the top portion of the handle nolonger stays on,It don't look like its missing anything but it must be,the bag zipper needs repair otherwise the bag is in decent shape,and it needs a good buffing/polishing that I havnt been able to do.
If it was like 150.00 I might have been able to swing it but no way can I throw $350.00 plus to have it rebuilt when its not a necessity right now,or else I wouldnt mind.
Is in desperate need of a new Brush roll, the top portion of the handle nolonger stays on,It don't look like its missing anything but it must be,the bag zipper needs repair otherwise the bag is in decent shape,and it needs a good buffing/polishing that I havnt been able to do.
If it was like 150.00 I might have been able to swing it but no way can I throw $350.00 plus to have it rebuilt when its not a necessity right now,or else I wouldnt mind.
vibragroomer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2009
- Messages
- 112
Clarification
The quote they gave me was for a G5. I wonder if that price is high because of the TechDrive. Perhaps its lower for the pre-TechDrive models.
The quote they gave me was for a G5. I wonder if that price is high because of the TechDrive. Perhaps its lower for the pre-TechDrive models.
frkirby511
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2006
- Messages
- 210
Kirby Factory Rebuild and Original Trim
Somewhere I recall a while back on a similar thread, someone said that you could request Kirby to keep the original trim and bag etc. of the machine you sent and they would use it and restore it as best they could. Obviously it would have to be decent enough for them to work with it. But does anyone have any info about this option? Is it in fact the case, or not?
Somewhere I recall a while back on a similar thread, someone said that you could request Kirby to keep the original trim and bag etc. of the machine you sent and they would use it and restore it as best they could. Obviously it would have to be decent enough for them to work with it. But does anyone have any info about this option? Is it in fact the case, or not?
I cannot confirm or deny this, but from what I understand, the cleaner you get back is not completely your own. In dismantling the cleaner, they may do several of the same type at a time, so the headlight hood from your 562 Sanitronic may wind up on someone else's 560. Or the handle from your Dual Sanitronic 50 may end up on another person's 518. Also, they will remove the original I.D. plate (and it will be lost forever), and replace it with one that says Kirby Rebuild, and the date of the rebuild.
caligula
Well-known member
From a former Kirby training manager
The answer to the factory rebuild is 'for the original owner only!' Kirby did not honor it for son, grand son, etc. The price was stated in the instruction book, same with the rebuild/replacement due to fire.
For the actual rebuild, Kirby did NOT use original parts. For a Classic model, Kirby often used the trim for the Classic Omega. I did have them rebuild a G4 and it came back with G3 trim. I was not happy!
For those who want to polish the chrome I suggest getting a bench grinder and polishing it yourself, or find a trusted vac shop.
Alex
The answer to the factory rebuild is 'for the original owner only!' Kirby did not honor it for son, grand son, etc. The price was stated in the instruction book, same with the rebuild/replacement due to fire.
For the actual rebuild, Kirby did NOT use original parts. For a Classic model, Kirby often used the trim for the Classic Omega. I did have them rebuild a G4 and it came back with G3 trim. I was not happy!
For those who want to polish the chrome I suggest getting a bench grinder and polishing it yourself, or find a trusted vac shop.
Alex
vibragroomer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2009
- Messages
- 112
Non-Original Owner
The price Kirby quoted me ($350 plus tax and shipping both ways) is for those of us who are not the original owners. I found my G5 at a garage sale in fairly decent shape for $15. Right now it's working just fine, so I'll skip the rebuild!
The price Kirby quoted me ($350 plus tax and shipping both ways) is for those of us who are not the original owners. I found my G5 at a garage sale in fairly decent shape for $15. Right now it's working just fine, so I'll skip the rebuild!
kirbyvacuum
Well-known member
Kirby Rebuild Sanitronic
Hi All Back in 1989 I sent my Kirby Sanitronic in with Paper work it came back in TWO Weeks They did a very good job. HOWEVER ( I think the price was 22.99 not sure)After inspecting it and unpacking it their was a note saying at the time of this rebuilding we RAN out of MATCHING trim for the RUG Nozel. The Bag , Headlight, and cord were all a CORRECT MATCH However the rug Nozel came backwith a Green trim for the Dual 80. THE worse thing was the toe touch adjuster was not but back right when you went to adjust it it would go right to the floor. For sure it was not testesd before it left the factory. I called the factory they were very nice told me to send it back but i never did . It still looks and runs like new and for 22.99 how can you go wrong. I still love my Kirbys and think they are a-ok. Take care Doug
Hi All Back in 1989 I sent my Kirby Sanitronic in with Paper work it came back in TWO Weeks They did a very good job. HOWEVER ( I think the price was 22.99 not sure)After inspecting it and unpacking it their was a note saying at the time of this rebuilding we RAN out of MATCHING trim for the RUG Nozel. The Bag , Headlight, and cord were all a CORRECT MATCH However the rug Nozel came backwith a Green trim for the Dual 80. THE worse thing was the toe touch adjuster was not but back right when you went to adjust it it would go right to the floor. For sure it was not testesd before it left the factory. I called the factory they were very nice told me to send it back but i never did . It still looks and runs like new and for 22.99 how can you go wrong. I still love my Kirbys and think they are a-ok. Take care Doug
thunderhexed
Well-known member
Rebuild
I sent my grandmothers D-80 in for a factory rebuild in Feb of 08. It came back factory fresh and showroom new. All trim matched. The only issues I had were that the top part of the handle was an aftermarket replacement with the bag and cord hanger off to the side like the Classic III and Traditions, and initially, it wouldn't fit. It took me over an hour to file down the bottom of it in order for it to fit into the lower part of the handle before I could screw everything together. The height adjustment mechanism is very loose as well. It goes all the way to the floor when I try to adjust it. Sounds to me like it has a newer motor in it too. It sounds more like my Classic/Heritage Kirby's than the older lower pitched Sanitronics. But hey, for the 42.00 I paid total with shipping to have it refurbished, I can't complain. It was the first Kirby I ever recall seeing when I was a child and granny saved it especially for me. Thankfully, she and gramps are still alive and got to see it restored to it's former glory. They now use a G3 I gifted them and they absolutely love it.
I sent my grandmothers D-80 in for a factory rebuild in Feb of 08. It came back factory fresh and showroom new. All trim matched. The only issues I had were that the top part of the handle was an aftermarket replacement with the bag and cord hanger off to the side like the Classic III and Traditions, and initially, it wouldn't fit. It took me over an hour to file down the bottom of it in order for it to fit into the lower part of the handle before I could screw everything together. The height adjustment mechanism is very loose as well. It goes all the way to the floor when I try to adjust it. Sounds to me like it has a newer motor in it too. It sounds more like my Classic/Heritage Kirby's than the older lower pitched Sanitronics. But hey, for the 42.00 I paid total with shipping to have it refurbished, I can't complain. It was the first Kirby I ever recall seeing when I was a child and granny saved it especially for me. Thankfully, she and gramps are still alive and got to see it restored to it's former glory. They now use a G3 I gifted them and they absolutely love it.
kirbyvacuum
Well-known member
Rebuild
Hi Cory I wonder what the deal is with the HEIGHT Adjuster? As you said for that price you will never go wrong. Take care Doug.
Hi Cory I wonder what the deal is with the HEIGHT Adjuster? As you said for that price you will never go wrong. Take care Doug.
thunderhexed
Well-known member
Not sure
It almost acts as if maybe it's lubricated a little too much, or something. My Heritage does it as well and it has never been rebuilt. Maybe the little gears wear down over time or something. If I step on them just the right way, then they can be adjusted one notch at a time, but it I just quickly do it, they both go straight down. Nothing too major, just a tad annoying from time to time.
It almost acts as if maybe it's lubricated a little too much, or something. My Heritage does it as well and it has never been rebuilt. Maybe the little gears wear down over time or something. If I step on them just the right way, then they can be adjusted one notch at a time, but it I just quickly do it, they both go straight down. Nothing too major, just a tad annoying from time to time.
kirbyvacuum
Well-known member
Kirby Adjuster
Hi Again Cory I have had the entire adjuster changed on my heritage 2. I am good friends with my kirby dealer service man they do wear down after a while. I see you are a real Kirby man if you ever want to talk Kirby feel free to e-mail me. Take care Doug
Hi Again Cory I have had the entire adjuster changed on my heritage 2. I am good friends with my kirby dealer service man they do wear down after a while. I see you are a real Kirby man if you ever want to talk Kirby feel free to e-mail me. Take care Doug
thunderhexed
Well-known member
Advice
For those of you interested in the rebuild, the way I had to do it, was completely through my grandparents. Since they were the original owners of the machine and we found the warranty page in the booklet, the mailing address and name I used was granny's. They sent her the paperwork indicating total cost, I gave her the money and she cut the check. It was delievered back to her house two weeks later. So if you have the machine and the original owner is still living, and they agree, then you could have it done. I don't know of any other way it would work otherwise without paying the non-original owners cost which from what I have read, is upwards around $350.00 or so. My particular machine had sit in a shed for about 10 years and was chewed to bits by mice. I had to find an old cord and bag to toss in the box before I sent it back to avoid being charged extra for parts. I called and inquired before hand and the lady in the customer service department told me that if there were any missing parts, I would be charged extra for them. My particular machine was also used for YEARS with a busted fan prior to being relinquished to the shed to rot for 10 years, no needless to say, it was in HORRIBLE shape. If yours still runs pretty decently and just needs a spruce up, I'd shop around some vac shops to see if they can do it - even if they are out of state. You may get a decent deal somewhere. I talked to a man in New Jersey that advertised rebuilds on his site (I can't remember who now) and he said that if I had the paperwork and the original owner was still alive, to send it in to Kirby, if not he would be happy to restore it for me as best as he could. Just a little advice from my experience with the rebuild.
For those of you interested in the rebuild, the way I had to do it, was completely through my grandparents. Since they were the original owners of the machine and we found the warranty page in the booklet, the mailing address and name I used was granny's. They sent her the paperwork indicating total cost, I gave her the money and she cut the check. It was delievered back to her house two weeks later. So if you have the machine and the original owner is still living, and they agree, then you could have it done. I don't know of any other way it would work otherwise without paying the non-original owners cost which from what I have read, is upwards around $350.00 or so. My particular machine had sit in a shed for about 10 years and was chewed to bits by mice. I had to find an old cord and bag to toss in the box before I sent it back to avoid being charged extra for parts. I called and inquired before hand and the lady in the customer service department told me that if there were any missing parts, I would be charged extra for them. My particular machine was also used for YEARS with a busted fan prior to being relinquished to the shed to rot for 10 years, no needless to say, it was in HORRIBLE shape. If yours still runs pretty decently and just needs a spruce up, I'd shop around some vac shops to see if they can do it - even if they are out of state. You may get a decent deal somewhere. I talked to a man in New Jersey that advertised rebuilds on his site (I can't remember who now) and he said that if I had the paperwork and the original owner was still alive, to send it in to Kirby, if not he would be happy to restore it for me as best as he could. Just a little advice from my experience with the rebuild.
briankirbyclass
Well-known member
The last time i had a Factory Rebuild was in 2008,,,they sent the machine back in beautiful condition,(it is a Classic Omega),,they do nothing to the belt lifter for whatever reason, not even buff it, or replace the logo sticker ,so, if the belt lifter needs work, or replaced, point that out ahead of time when you send the machine.
Also, the bottom cover of the Sani Emptors are now all black,,no corresponding colors. All 500 machines will come back with tan colored parts, bag and trim,,and also all machines that are sent in with a hose will get a black replacement hose and coupler,,no corresponding colors.
The one piece long strait and curved wands are now discontinued, as well as the long flat floor nozzles and wall brushes,,,they will be replaced with black G series ones. Infact, any basic attachments that are sent in will be replaced with black G series attachments.
They did send a new dark brown cord back with the Classic Omega,,but a friend that sent in a Classic 3 after i sent mine in, said they sent him a black cord, and also did put a metal Classic Omega belt lifter (unpolished) with a red sticker over where the "Visabelt" window used to be on the front.
So, evidently they are using whatever parts are avalible,,and many older parts are just history.
Also, the bottom cover of the Sani Emptors are now all black,,no corresponding colors. All 500 machines will come back with tan colored parts, bag and trim,,and also all machines that are sent in with a hose will get a black replacement hose and coupler,,no corresponding colors.
The one piece long strait and curved wands are now discontinued, as well as the long flat floor nozzles and wall brushes,,,they will be replaced with black G series ones. Infact, any basic attachments that are sent in will be replaced with black G series attachments.
They did send a new dark brown cord back with the Classic Omega,,but a friend that sent in a Classic 3 after i sent mine in, said they sent him a black cord, and also did put a metal Classic Omega belt lifter (unpolished) with a red sticker over where the "Visabelt" window used to be on the front.
So, evidently they are using whatever parts are avalible,,and many older parts are just history.
