Wheel Replacement on Vintage Electroluxes

[mercuryman]

I'm just curious if any of you have ever replaced a front (suction end) wheel on an Electrolux Model G.

It seems as though the wheels (with the chrome "hubcaps" removed) look just like the back wheels (blower end) on a Model L, and attach the same way. There is (what looks like) a non-removable metal ring that holds the wheel on the axle of the vacuum. Of course, I know many a Model G has been fitted with replacement wheels when the original wheels have broken, but how is this accomplished without having to cut the axle?

 

[crevicetool]

maybe this will help

http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?7101

 

[crevicetool]

BTW the wheels on the "G" are the same all on all four corners. The rear wheels have rubber tires.

 

[electrolux~137]

<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,geneva; font-size: medium;">Rubber tires on the Model G ???</span>


 

 

[Real1]

No rubber tires originally that I've seen....lots of replacement wheels on machines though. The rear wheels come out with a set screw on the shaft. The front wheels have to have the hub caps taken off and then there should be some kind of clip holding them on if I remember correctly.

These wheels are somewhat fragile to breaking. I've had to piece them together again with JB Weld. Never had to do it again though. One time I was playing with my dog and fell right on top of one of my G's. Broke every wheel in pieces.

Kevin

 

[Real1]

Ahhhhhh....

Ever curious and wanting to know ALL things about the G....I took the whole assembly off (two screws) first and then pulled one of the hubcaps. I see now what all the fuss and link was about. I also remember how I fixed this on my other G; took a cutting wheel on my Dremel tool and very carefully cut through the retaining washer. After that I replaced the retaining washer with a 'E' clip of the appropriate size and thickness. You could also use a snap ring if you have a correct one handy-whatever gives you the most diameter.

Kevin

 

[crevicetool]

OK, perhaps it's vinyl or polyhrocholorydebenzine dioxydol plastic and NOT rubber- never the less...it's a tire.

Notice the difference in the size of the profile between the rear wheels and the front. Particularly the space between the hubcap and the turquoise material.

When I restored this unit - three of the four wheels had busted during shipping. I had one turquoise wheel. I painted two gray replacement wheels that I got at an EBay store with a similar color. In order to do that, I removed the "tire" from the busted wheels and placed them on the new wheels.

I am seeing the same dimensions in Hans' Hospital "G". (see link)



http://www.vacuumland.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?11926

 

[crevicetool]

Front wheel.

 

[crevicetool]

Rear wheel. I also had to cut slots to accept the hubcap.

 

[crevicetool]

If it still works, here is an old link to a Bronze "G" that was on EBay - scroll down to it. above that are the same replacement wheels I bought to use on the "G" and the "R" in the link.

Anyway, while hard to tell in the photo of the bronze "G" - it looks to me as if it has the same wheel/tire configuration...


If I'm wrong, then I have the mostest rare Turquoise "G" in the world.


Rick

http://cgi.ebay.com/ELECTROLUX-NEW-...230610272379?pt=US_Vacuum&hash=item35b171807b

 

[Real1]

Well....

actually, I checked my rear wheels more carefully. They are softer than the front and different sized than the front (bigger). However, the core hub is plastic and that's what I had to JB Weld, because that's what broke on both rear wheels, on both G's. So yeah, it IS some sort of a 'tire'...the rear two.

Beautiful G as well, crevicetool.

Kevin

 

[luxg]

All of this talk about wheels got me to wondering so I checked out my G's..  The turquoise and tan G's both have rubber wheels on the back just as Rick said.  On my factory rebuilt G, all four weeks are gray and plastic.  


 


Terry

 

[Real1]

I don't think it's rubber exactly, but some form of soft plastic/vinyl.

Kevin

 

[mercuryman]

The reason I asked...

is because I JUST noticed (after having had my "new" Model G for several days) that one of the front wheels is cracked slightly underneath. Whether it happened during shipping or it was pre-existing is unbeknownst to me. I have Krazy Glued the crack in the wheel, and, hopefully, it will maintain its strength. If not, however, I will need to replace the wheel.

That being said, does anyone have a "donor" Model G with a turquoise wheel that you might be able to send me? I'd certainly pay for it--and reimburse for shipping. It would break my heart if my G "lost a wheel" and I couldn't replace it with a matching one, especially since the one I have is in such nice condition.

 

[electrolux~137]

 


 


 


<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva; font-size: medium;">Well, "you learn something new every day." I had always assumed that all four of the G wheels were the same exact wheels as used for the E-A, F, R and L but with the pretty chrome hubcaps added. "Who Knew" the rear wheels are actually different!</span>

 

[Real1]

"Who knew"....

???? Crevicetool for one and I suspect others.;-)

Mercuryman: As I said in a previous post, if you lump in JB Weld on the inside of the wheel (where you can't see it), it's a really strong repair. Certainly stronger than any Cyanoacrylate glue where weight and actual physical forces work against it.

Kevin

 

[tjb]

Electrolux Model L wheel replacement

I ordered new wheels for my model L (one was cracked) on eBay. Once I got them , I had a devil of a time finding someone to install the wheel (I went to five stores and was ready to give up. In each store, the repair men looked at me like I fell out of the back of a hearse when I plunked the model L on the counter). "Oh - we don't touch those." - as though it were a leper.

There is a vaccuum repair store in Scotch Plains, NJ who said that he'd be willing to try. He did it! My Model L is saved! he said that when this is done, the way that the wheel axle was manufactured, you have but one chance to replace the wheels (I guess the axle has to be cut) so I had both rear wheels replaced. I should be good for another 46 years! If you need the name of the store, I'll be happy to oblige.

 

[mercuryman]

I thank you all...

for responding to my question. @ tjb, where in New Jersey is Scotch Plains? I can actually be in New Jersey by car in about 45 minutes (after driving over Staten Island if I'm heading south...or, the G.W. Bridge, if I'm going to north/central Jersey).

It's true...a lot of the "new guys" in vacuum repair don't want to touch the older machines. In fact, last summer when I essayed to find a replacement hose for my tan Model L, I went into a vacuum store that "apparently" specialized in Electrolux repairs, and I had to explain to the guy the difference between the hose coupling that fits the vacuums mfg'd after 1973 (with the fully electric PN hose) and the couplings that fit the older Model G and L, etc.

I guess it all comes down to how "handy" a repairman believes he is. I am handy myself; I love to "tinker" and fix machinery, but when the usable life of a vintage, almost-irreplaceable machine is at stake, I'd rather put the job to the professionals.