What is the fix for…

[hooveru4089]

…a Hoover Convertible brushroll that makes a loud rattling sound? The last two Convertibles I aquired (older metal-based models) both had this problem. I had replaced the brushroll bearings but to no avail. The serviceman at the vacuum cleaner store that I buy parts from has said that the long metal rod sometimes gets slightly bent and throws the brushroll out of balance. Does this sound right to anyone? If so, how have you repaired this? If not, what is problem?

 

[bnsd60m9200]

if greasing the bearings doesnt fix it, the rod inside is bent. most times loud hoover brushrolls are just in need of lubrication. it takes quite some doing to bend the axle shaft inside and that would have to happen from a crappy vac shop who bent it for some reason in a lazy/sloppy repair

 

[hooveru4089]

The serviceman (who is not a vintage Hoover expert by any means) never actually bent it. I've tried using other rods and still have had the same problem. Is there a way to straighten it out? Perhaps I have been a bit unlucky and had several bent rods?? In addition, the guy also said that the brushroll should not be left too long without the metal bearing housings removed from each end or the sheet metal on the outside will deform and the brushroll could become out of balance that way. Any thoughts??

 

[desiredname]

Does your brushroll fit tightly into the nozzle itself? On my very well used model 69 I had to shim one side of the brushroll with a piece of tape. Mine had a small amount of play and would rattle around in the nozzle. The casting was worn from years of use and the brushroll being removed for service over the years.

 

[ctvacman]

Where in CT do you go for service?

 

[hooveru4089]

@desiredname
Yes, on one of the machines the end cap was slightly loose to begin with, but I did try JB Weld and I once even took another end cap and ground down the rounded edges so I could shove it in there. It quieted down for a while but then gradually got louder again. What did you use for shims?

 

[durango159]

Personally, I've never experienced that problem with Hoover Convertible brush roll. But I'm posting all of the help I can offer for your situation as Hoover Convertibles are great, pleasant to use cleaners!!

You may be completely aware of some of the information I'm posting below for each items install, but to be thorough and helpful as I'm unaware of your knowledge, I've included details.

If it was me in your situation in trouble shooting, I would say to completely disassemble the brush roll.


Check overall condition of brush roll housing for bent out of place metal, heavy rust, busted up ends, etc.

Clean brushes and check that the plastic on the brush strips is positioned properly into slots utilizing the full slot end to end properly.

Clean and check the brush roll caps that the bearings and parts sit inside. Make sure they are clean and in good repair. They could be getting worn on ends from various sands and dirt and friction over years from end caps and dirt rubbing on them. It's amazing what hair and baking soda can do a brush roll, wearing things down and throwing alignment off.

How are the 2 end washers? Make sure both end washers are installed properly with middle facing up towards bearing, that will sit on top of it when re-installed, and ends down towards center of brush roll upon reinstall.

The rod can be scoured with a green scotch bright pad and some cleanser to remove rust build up on main rod and ends. Clean threaded ends are crucial for ensuring proper installation of end caps. You can roll the rod on a flat surface like a table to check for trueness and if it really is bent and severity. If it is bent, I'm sure they're are some on the internet that may work better than trying to rebend it perfectly back into shape.

Clean and grease bearings, or possibly replace. Depending on style of bearing, check the felt washers on the old style ones!

Are your end caps metal or plastic? The plastic ones can crack and wear away from dirt abuse over time.
--The metal ones can get rusty. Clean and also ensure that left end cap has the spring plate attached.

Page 6 of the attached schematic has part numbers and diagram of all parts for the brush roll. You can plug part numbers into eBay, Amazon, Discountcleaningproducts.com, call a vacuum shop for parts.

Chris is a friend of mine with a huge vacuum repair shop in upstate New York specializing in refurbishment of vintage cleaners. He can get you anything you would need for a Hoover Convertible including a brand new Genuine Hoover brush roll or used good condition parts at a low price. I'd be more than happy to pass his contact information to you!

Best of luck in getting your Hoover Convertibles running terrifically.

Below is a favorite unit of mine!

http://www.hescoinc.com/schematic/hoover/h_U4171.pdf

 

[durango159]

Personally, I've never experienced that problem with Hoover Convertible brush roll. But I'm posting all of the help I can offer for your situation as Hoover Convertibles are great, pleasant to use cleaners!!

You may be completely aware of some of the information I'm posting below for each items install, but to be thorough and helpful as I'm unaware of your knowledge, I've included details.

If it was me in your situation in trouble shooting, I would say to completely disassemble the brush roll.


Check overall condition of brush roll housing for bent out of place metal, heavy rust, busted up ends, etc.

Clean brushes and check that the plastic on the brush strips is positioned properly into slots utilizing the full slot end to end properly.

Clean and check the brush roll caps that the bearings and parts sit inside. Make sure they are clean and in good repair. They could be getting worn on ends from various sands and dirt and friction over years from end caps and dirt rubbing on them. It's amazing what hair and baking soda can do a brush roll, wearing things down and throwing alignment off.

How are the 2 end washers? Make sure both end washers are installed properly with middle facing up towards bearing, that will sit on top of it when re-installed, and ends down towards center of brush roll upon reinstall.

The rod can be scoured with a green scotch bright pad and some cleanser to remove rust build up on main rod and ends. Clean threaded ends are crucial for ensuring proper installation of end caps. You can roll the rod on a flat surface like a table to check for trueness and if it really is bent and severity. If it is bent, I'm sure they're are some on the internet that may work better than trying to rebend it perfectly back into shape.

Clean and grease bearings, or possibly replace. Depending on style of bearing, check the felt washers on the old style ones!

Are your end caps metal or plastic? The plastic ones can crack and wear away from dirt abuse over time.
--The metal ones can get rusty. Clean and also ensure that left end cap has the spring plate attached.

Page 6 of the attached schematic has part numbers and diagram of all parts for the brush roll. You can plug part numbers into eBay, Amazon, Discountcleaningproducts.com, call a vacuum shop for parts.

Chris is a friend of mine with a huge vacuum repair shop in upstate New York specializing in refurbishment of vintage cleaners. He can get you anything you would need for a Hoover Convertible including a brand new Genuine Hoover brush roll or used good condition parts at a low price. I'd be more than happy to pass his contact information to you!

If after all of this you still have an issue, then I'd be looking at your fan and housing next, which may be a good idea anyway!! Also be sure you're using a Genuine Hoover belt. The 044783AG is the industrial one and seems to last longer I find than the Style 48--49258 residential belt for Hoovers.

Best of luck in getting your Hoover Convertibles running terrifically.

Below is a favorite unit of mine!

http://www.hescoinc.com/schematic/hoover/h_U4171.pdf

 

[hooveru4089]

Thanks for the tips!

Upon further investigation, I noticed a slight bit of play when moving the end caps back and forth in the brushroll. I also noticed wear marks on each end of the long rod, right about where it slides into the bearing. I am considering rebuilding the brushroll with new bearings, a new rod and possibly new bearing housings. Is this a good plan?

 

[hooveru4089]

***UPDATE***

I just recieved a NOS OEM Hoover brushroll and installed it. The machine is a LITTLE quieter but definitely not anything close to a purr.
@desiredname: I tried shimming the groove where the notched end cap goes with masking tape. Not sure if this is what you did with your machine, perhaps you could explain your method.

 

[desiredname]

After I got my model 69 from a thrift store I put new bearings in the brushroll. After it still had a vibration from the brushroll, upon closer inspection I found that I could easily move the brushroll around a very small amount in the housing. I'm guessing that the slots had been worn over the years allowing the small amount of play. I put a piece of masking tape on the slotted end which created a tighter fit and stopped the vibrations. This is only convertible that I have had to do this to. Is there any play between your brushroll and the housing?

 

[hooveru4089]

Yes, there was some slack to begin with. The slots are definitely significantly worn out. The new brushroll does not have the spring on the left end cap like the original one would have had (I am thinking I might reuse the original cap). Thank you for the pics; originally I stuck several pieces of tape over the slots in the housing, but I have not tried putting them on the actual cap like you obviously have.

 

[hooveru4089]

Just to follow up…

…I reused the old end cap with the spring and shimmed it. This seemed to tighten up that side of the brushroll. However, I then discovered that there was a fair amount of play on the other side, which I resolved by shimming the grooves in the base for a tighter fit. Despite this it is still noisy. It also burns through belts in very little time (these are genuine hoover belts, too). I once put a CWP brushroll in and it was nice and quiet, even without any shimming tape, although, as many have said on this site, they put too much strain on the lower-wattage motors (my machine is a 1020).