Kriby G5 Tech Drive Issues

[electrolux137]

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A friend made a curb find of a Kirby G5. When he took it home to check it out, he discovered that the Tech Drive only works in reverse, e.g., when pulling the machine toward him. I don't know anything about how the Tech Drive in those models works so I wasn't able to give him any suggestions. Anyone out there want to weigh in on this? Thanks...


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[Deleted member 2721]

Check the yoke

It’s possible someone was into it before and had it apart. On the handle mechanism that moves the yoke back and forth for reverse or forward needs to be aligned and inserted properly. This involves pulling the handle and top cover off to see if that is the culprit. If it is he simply needs to pull the screws holding that “frame” with the headlight on it off and realign it so the switch is going through the middle of it. I don’t have any pics off hand... sorry

 

[broomvac]

Before doing anything, make sure you unplug the Kirby.

1. Remove handle.

2. Remove screw in between D and N pedals.

3. Remove screw holding cord restraint onto plastic rear scuff plate.

4. Remove plastic rear scuff plate by first inserting flat-bladed screw driver
into slot and prying up to loosen. Then slide it off towards the rear of the machine.

5. Remove two screws (most likely Torx head) now exposed. These are two of the four machine screws that hold aluminum cover on top of the Kirby.

6. Lift headlight and remove the two other screws (also likely Torx head) that hold the aluminum cover on.

7. Lift aluminum cover vertically off Kirby.

8. Locate the two large screws that hold the handle hinge assembly to the cleaner. They will be black and arranged parallel to the axis of the motor shaft. Notice the handle hinge assembly has oblong holes, so the screws can be loosened and the handle hinge assembly can be translated relative to the screws.

9. Loosen these two screws and center the handle hinge assembly so the screws grip in the centers of the oblong holes. This is the difficult part because the alignment is SENSITIVE! Not only do small adjustments produce great differences in the forward/reverse drive balance, but the adjustment can change as you tighten the screws if you are not careful! Getting the perfect balance will likely require trial and error.

10. Once you have the assembly centered and the screws tightened, make sure the screws are on VERY tight! I use a Torx bit on the end of a socket wrench to get the screws adequately snugged up. If the screws do not grip the handle hinge assembly tight enough, it may slide out of adjustment again later on, throwing the forward/reverse drive balance off again.

11. Reassemble in reverse order and enjoy using your properly functioning G5!

I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it really isn't. I've performed this adjustment on all 6 second-hand G-Series Kirbys I have owned, and it really doesn't take long at all.

Good luck and let me know if you need any more help!

broomvac

 

[electrolux137]

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Thanks for the advice. I'll send it along to my friend.


 


 

 

[human]

The good news is that if the Tech Drive unit is truly kaput, used ones aren't terribly expensive on eBay.