Signs of needing new carbon brushes?

[sopranojam85]

How do most G series Kirbys fare with the longevity of their carbon brushes?

My G-six runs fine, but when using the hose (high speed setting), it has a bit of a... rattling/grinding noise that is only intermittent. I suspect it might need new bearings at some point, but I don't want to go down that road if it's unnecessary.

Then, I thought about carbon brushes, and wondered if that was part of the problem too? I'm guessing not.

I found one thread on this forum which asks the question of what the symptoms are of worn brushes, but it wasn't abundantly clear. In general, it sounds like worn brushes will either cause excessive sparking, or will cause the motor to not turn at all, or intermittently stop turning... and neither of those symptoms are occurring right now.

Feedback appreciated. Thank you!

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?17716

 

[vacuumlover]

Could be bearings and or brushes. For me it sounds like it could be leaning more to bearings. Don't quote me on that, I'm no expert.

 

[charleskirby66]

Rattling/grinding noise in the hose mode

I am having a similar noise issue in the hose mode with my Ultimate G Diamond. For me, I believe there is a loose bushing for the headlight hood. When I hold the headlight hood down while in operation, the noise stops. Soon after letting go, the rattling noise starts again. I'm thinking it's the plastic bushing, maybe it has worn out or loosened somehow. Have you tried holding down (or completely flipping open) the headlight while in hose mode to see if this changes the sound? Hope this helps...

 

[kirbysthebest]

I am not an electrician nor a repair person, but my experience with worn brushes usually involves the motor slowing or acting like it is losing power. There may be some visible sparking if you are able to see through the cooling vents. some "electrical" smell, usually from the sparking.

On my Tradition, the headlight also flickered.

 

[sopranojam85]

No spark, smell, or loss of power. I'm going to say the brushes are NOT the issue here...

I'll see if pushing on any of the motor's body parts makes the issue stop or change. Hope that's all it is.

Otherwise there is no abnormal noise in upright rug nozzle mode, which is how it's used 85% of the time.

 

[charleskirby66]

Sopranojam

What you are describing is exactly what I'm experiencing. When I use my Ultimate G Diamond in upright mode, that vibration noise does not happen. It only happens in canister mode (with the hose). Pressure applied to the headlight while vacuuming in canister mode stops the vibrations. Also, flipping open the headlight hood all the way, while vacuuming in canister mode, sometimes prevents the sound from happening.

Kirby motors kick into a higher speed while being used in the canister mode to improve suction through the hose. This must be the culprit!

Has this helped you locate the source of your noise?