Hello,
Thanks for the clarification. I have never seen this problem previously in a Kirby. I wonder if the belt keeps sliding off because it's been stretched out? After about 1-2 years, the belts on the Kirby will stretch out to a point where there can possibly slide off the motor shaft. Have you tried just replacing the belt on the unit first?
If you're sure that it's not the belt that may be stretched out, and you'd like to replace the motor shaft, you certainly may do this. The only problem with this is the motor shaft is not sold by itself as a separate part. The only way to purchase this motor shaft is to purchase the entire fan assembly, which includes a new fan, and the hardware necessary on the fan assembly.
Here's a parts diagram that shows you the motor shaft is sold only in a completely assembly:
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/vacuumcleanerbacgs/kirby-generation-parts-diagram.pdf
If you haven't already purchased the motor shaft, here's a direct link to the motor shaft and fan assembly on our website:
Kirby Generation Fan Assembly With Motor Shaft and Hardware
In terms of installing it, we've actually recorded a video repair on how to replace the fan assembly, which involves removing the motor shaft in order to get the fan off. Since you have to purchase the fan assembly anyways in order get the motor shaft, you may want to go ahead and replace your fan assembly at this time also. Even though your fan may not be broken, on Kirby's the fans can become coated with dirt and fine dust, which can sometimes lead to the Kirby exhausting a bad smell. If you'd rather not replace the fan, you may remove the motor shaft without disassembling the entire machine, you'll just need to secure the fan somehow so that the fan doesn't spin while you're using a nail to turn the motor shaft off.
Anyways, here's the video repair that we recorded. I hope that this helps you. If you found this helpful, please kindly rate my repair helpful by clicking the thumbs up icons in the top right hand corner of the repair. This is really what keeps Fixya repair professionals continue to give free repairs online.
Here's Part 1 of the video:
Here's Part 2 on Replacing the motor shaft and fan:
If you have any follow up questions, I'd be more then happy to answer them for you, please just add another comment here on the repair page, and I'll be more then happy to answer any follow up questions that you have. Thanks again for rating the repair, I greatly appreciate this.
Chris Jones
GoVacuum.com
Hey Steve,
I'm glad that helped you! Yes, I would probably recommend just replacing the motor shaft if it's worn out like you have said. The total for the fan assembly and the motor shaft is $17.99 through us, and we include free shipping all the time. If you'd like to go ahead and purchase this, an even easier and faster way for you to do this, is to just go to a grocery store, or 7-11, or Wal-Mart, etc. and just purchase a Visa gift card that has the Visa logo in it. You may then follow the link in the repair to the Fan assembly, and just push the add to cart button, enter in your shipping information and use the Visa gift card number as your payment. This will ensure that your Kirby fan & motor shaft will ship the same day, rather then us having to wait to receive the money order. Of course you may certainly send a money if you'd rather do it that way. Here's a link to ordering information, feel free to contact me if you have any questions, or want to place your order over the phone:
http://www.govacuum.com/info.html
Hi Steve,
Unfortunately I am not able to provide any personal contact information on Fixya, this is a policy of theirs that could get me banned if violated. If you visit the link that I left you in the previous reply however, this will take you right to the address, as well as a phone number to reach us. I'm sorry I can't give you the number, that would just make things to easy, haha. Just visit the link above and you'll be able to find the phone number and address.
Thanks again, Chris.
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Hello there, and thanks so much for the reply
The drive shaft on my G-5 is worn down like an hourglass. It's getting quite narrow where the belt rides on it. It had a taper when it was new, but now it's hourglassed. If I put my roller brush at it's most extended setting the belt's not putting enough tention on the shaft to run without slipping.
I see the shaft has a seprate part that was machined to hold the belt. It's go a hole through it side to side, which I assumed was for a pin to use as a lever to unscrew it. I am a machinest, and I was planing to unscrew it and make a new one, but it doesn't seem to unscrew.
After I failed to unscrew it, I found you on-line and wrote to you to ask how I can get that part off.
I hope I am writing in a clearly here. It's not easy to explane this in writing, but I think I am describing things pretty well to a person that knows the Kerby inside and out.
Am I???????
I sure hope so.
:)
Steve
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
I see the spindle has a LEFT HAND THREAD! That's why I could not get it off
Am I to understand that a new fan and spindle would only cost about $20?
If so, I think it's best for me to buy those parts rather then make a new spindle shaft.
Would you also recommend I do that?
The G5 is now about 12 years old and I have replaced the belt a few times and the roller brush one time. I live in ranch country and the Kerby gets used every day. No pavement here, so dirt come into the house a lot.
I don't have any credit card, and I have never bought anything on line. I can send a money order however.
please let me know what you think
Again THANK YOU
Your reply was VERY helpful
Steve
well no, it's not easier for me !
You see, I am 103 miles from Casper Wyoming That's over 200 miles to make a round trip.
Shoshoni is closer, but they have only a gas station and a post office. No stores or 7-11s there.
That's why I use US Postal money orders.
You didn't give me your phone number.
I need that!
I'll call and get an address from you, and I'll send out a money order today.
Thanks.
Steve
Hi There, I just wanted to check on this problem and get a clarification. What exactly is the problem that you are having? In 10 years of servicing Kirby's, I have never seen the motor shaft go bad in any Kirby, and I've serviced even some 50 year old machines that have the original shaft. Is the problem you're having that the belt keeps slipping off the shaft? You've definitely got my curiosity, I'd like to try and help you fix this problem, especially if it's a worn motor shaft. If you can please just add a comment with a little more specifics about the problems you're having, I'll be more then happy to walk you through step by step on how to fix your Kirby. Thanks,
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