Take out the old belt
1 of 3Photo 1: Remove cover screws
Unplug the vacuum and turn it over, exposing the underside. Back out the
casing screws that secure the bottom cover. Release the attachment clips
with a flat-blade screwdriver and lift off the cover.
2 of 3Photo 2: Remove the belt
Pry out the agitator with a
flat-blade screwdriver. Slide
the old belt off the agitator pulley
and motor drive shaft and slide
the new belt on the motor
drive shaft.
3 of 3Photo 3: Seat the agitator
Slide the new belt onto the
agitator. Replace the agitator,
making sure the end caps are
properly seated. Spin it with your
hand to make sure it doesn't
bind, and then replace the cover.
When your vacuum
starts to lose cleaning
power, requiring multiple
passes to get an area clean, or
the self-propulsion loses its zip,
chances are you need to change the
vacuum agitator belt. After only a
few months of use, most vacuum
belts stretch out enough to slip,
causing the agitator to spin more
slowly.
Replacing the belt is quick and
inexpensive. New belts are available from a vacuum parts
supplier (check online for
a store in your area). Belts come in
numerous brands and sizes, so
bring the old one to the store for a
guaranteed match.
Fifteen minutes, two screwdrivers
and a new belt are all you'll
typically need to complete the job.
Photo 1 shows how to access the
old belt. The cover on your vacuum
may be held on by other arrangements
of clips and screws.
After removing the cover, install
the new belt as shown in Photos 2
and 3. Once the new belt's on and
the agitator's back in place, turn the
agitator by hand to make sure the
belt spins smoothly, without rubbing
or binding. Reassemble the
bottom cover and test-run
the machine.
