Rainbow E2 Separator Stuck to fan housing

[fantomfan]

I just bought a Rainbow E2 and had trouble getting the separator off. I finally got it off with the prying end of the hammer. I bought a new separator and put it on but now it's just doing the same thing the old separator was doing. But now I can't even get it off the way I was able to with the old one. It's almost like it's been fused onto there. Could over-tightening the screw on the separator do this? The separator itself appears to be fine and the motor is fine but now I can't even get the new separator off. I definitely don't want to damage any parts up in the fan housing which if why I've stopped trying to get it off. This happened after only the first use with the new separator. I wanted to clean it RIGHT after I was done like you are supposed to do with Rainbows. I'm going to take it in eventually anyway to be serviced but I want to see if I can fix this myself beforehand because the vacuum itself works fine. Any thoughts?

 

[fantomfan]

Any thoughts?

I am clueless as to how to get the new separator off!

 

[mark40511]

Hang tight

I'm sure someone will read this and give their thoughts. I honestly do not know. I wonder if the shaft that the separator goes on is damaged or slightly bent or something? It sounds like something is OFF a little there.

 

[electroluxxxx]

While prying up on the separator tap the shaft with a hammer lightly!

 

[Vacuummania]

Tight

I'll second Electroluxxxx's suggestion of giving the motor shaft end a little tap as you work the separator off (try jiggling it or twisting it as you pull).

You also questioned whether it happened because of tightening too much... You should only tighten that nut finger tight (plus maybe a teeny tiny amount with the wrench). Did you do more than that? If you can get a new separator on properly, I wouldn't think the motor shaft was damaged in any way. Could you post a picture after you get the separator off so we can see if everything is correctly assembled on your unit?

 

[fantomfan]

I'll have to take it to a shop

The lower fan housing moves with the separator when I try to pry it off. I don't want to damage the housing. I was able to put the new separator on, so I think I overtightened it. The old separator was also easier to pry off.

 

[reo580]

I have had many Rainbows over the years from the Model B to my current rainbow: my E-series Black.
Here is what I have done with the separators. When attaching the separator, tighten the nut as tight as you can with your fingers. If you want a little re assurance, then go an additional 1/4 turn with the wrench but no more than that.
It sounds like something is not right with your Rainbow. The separator should come off fairly easily.
When I bought my E-2 Black, I got it from a pet owner. The separator was all funked up with so much dust and filth. It looked like Press Powder Makeup- it was just nasty. Even then, I was able to get the separator off easily.
I'm not sure if there is corrosion on your motor shaft, or if something is out of round.
I think it's a good idea to have the shop look into it.
Let us know what it was.
I'm curious...
Good luck,
Derek

P.S.
be careful when tapping the threaded end of the motor shaft. It does not take much to mess up the threads that way. I learned that lesson the hard way when I was learning how to do repair work at a vacuum shop years ago.

 

[fantomfan]

Thanks for the advice!

It's going in to the shop next weekend. I did NOT tap the threaded end because I don't have enough experience to not damage it.