How do I install a new belt on my Kirby Generation 3 Vacuum?

Question

A friend gave this vacuum cleaner to me and the belt broke but I cannot figure out where the belt is? I removed the front off the vacuum and turned the front knob to Belt Off before I removed it. Also I removed the bottom plate from the front of the vacuum piece and removed the brush roll but I still cannot figure out where this belt goes and how to install my new one. Does anyone know about this? Thank you.

Answer 1

Go to this webpage - shows you in pics step by step process to replace that belt. It is really not that difficult once you do it a time or two.

http://www.info-vacuum-cleaner.com/kirby-vac-oldbelt.php

Or follow these instructions:
With the Kirby in an upright position push the toe-touch lever all the way to the floor to raise the Kirby as high as it will go. Expose the nozzle on the Kirby by lifting the headlight cap. Release the belt tension by using the L-shaped handle on the belt lifter turning it all the way to the left (counter-clockwise) until the red arrows line up. Unlock the lever lock at the top of the nozzle and remove the nozzle from the unit. Unlock the rug plate by unhooking the two latches on the rear of the nozzle and remove it from the nozzle. Note the brush roll setting, which is indicated by a number or a series of notches. (See the next question for more information on the brush roll setting.) Turn the belt lifter to the right (clockwise) until the green arrows line up to release the belt from the belt lifter hook. Lift out the brushroll. Slide the old belt off and replace with a new belt. Replace the brushroll making sure each end is on the same setting. Replace the rug plate and making sure that the new belt is in the center of the brushroll, turn the belt lifter to the left (counter-clockwise) until the red arrows line up. (it will be hard to turn, as it is a new belt that you are stretching) Re-attach the nozzle to the Kirby locking it into place. Once it is locked onto the Kirby, turn the belt lifter to the right (clockwise) until the green arrows line up. This will release the belt off the hook and onto the motor shaft.

Answer 2

Sounds like the part you removed is the agitator housing. If you can't find the old belt or any part of it wrapped around the agitator or sticking out of the front of the fan opening where the spindle is connected to the motor, then it may have gone through the fan and become shredded into small enough pieces to have gone into the bag. You should, however, check the mini-emptor, the plastic part at the bottom of the bag area, to see if it's laying in there. You can inspect that opening by taking a firm grip on the plastic basket there and twisting it counterclockwise, about a quarter turn. It should then pull backward and off the mouth of the main casting. If you don't see any belt pieces in the emptor, then check the opening to which it was attached, they may be in there. If all that is clear, then put it back together and snap lock the emptor back into position. Then take the front piece that you removed and flip it over so you're looking down on the agitator, (brush roll), if you've already removed the bottom plate as you said you should be able to pull it out of the bottom opening. It may come out hard, but it will come out. Take note of the position, draw an arrow to denote which direction one end or the other faces, so you can reinstall it in the same position. Turn the belt lifter knob to the "belt on" position for now. If you have a new belt, place it on the agitator in the middle between the rows of bristles and put the agitator back into the housing, taking to care to reinstall correctly, then put on the bottom plate, securing the latches that hold it in place. Now you can turn the housing over so it's flat on the floor or your bench, and turn the belt indicator back to the "belt off" position. This will lift the belt so that when you put the agitator housing back onto the machine, the belt will slip over the drive spindle in the correct position and direction. Once that's on, move the housing lock down to secure it, and twist the belt knob to the "on" position and you should be ready to go. Adjust the height of the unit before doing any real serious vacuuming, as that can cause a belt to wear out prematurely, (if the height is set too low for the particular type of carpet you have, it makes too much drag on the bristles and consequently, on the belt.)

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I install a new belt on my Kirby Generation 3 Vacuum?
A friend gave this vacuum cleaner to me and the belt broke but I cannot figure out where the belt is? I removed the front off the vacuum and turned the front knob to Belt Off before I removed it. Also I removed the bottom plate from the front of the vacuum piece and removed the brush roll but I...

Answer 4

I own a Kirby G3 and it is simple once you know how to do it, but it may be hard to explain so I would take it to a vacuum repair shop and have them show you and they shouldn't charge you for that then you will know how to do in the future.