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Author Topic: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck  (Read 8922 times)

Offline Sono

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DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« on: October 20, 2015, 06:51:31 am »
We are replacing our DC14 clutch. We can't budge the clutch cover. We removed the 3 screws, the vacuum is in the upright position, but the cover will not lift out. It's really stuck.

The problem seems to be in the area of the metal pin on the cover.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any idea how to access that area in order to free it?

Thanks.

Offline beko1987

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2015, 09:46:58 am »
Keep pulling! It doesnt lift out,  rather up until it hits the housing  on the chassis,  thrn pulks fkrward.

If the metal belt guide pin has come adrift,  it could be a right bastard.  The pin is easily bent straight again if it becomes bent though.

Plan B is to take the whole brusbroll  off and wriggle the bent off the motor,  then lift the cover off.
Collector and restorer of vintage vacuums, Dyson Appreciator! Come and see my blog, where I am uploading all my mountains of brochures, manuals and other vacuum cleaner paperwork, and also my youtube channel @beko1987!

Offline Sono

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2015, 07:39:38 am »
Thank you, beko1987. It sounds like we’re not the only ones who have struggled with a clutch cover. We worked on removing the clutch cover and…I have good news and possibly not great news.

The good news: the clutch cover is off. Thinking that the very stretched and loose belt might be hampering removal of the cover, we cut that and after brief resistance, it came loose. That did seem to help with moving the cover. We pulled up, there was a snap (sigh), and then the cover came off.

Backtrack a little. We had had a terrible time unscrewing the 3rd screw, but finally managed to shake it loose.
Which brings me to the not great news: there was a 4th screw (now that’s a right bastard)! The snap was the sound of the plastic screw-post, well, breaking. How is it possible that there were 4 screws? One screw drilled down into another? We’ve never had the vacuum open before. Feeling silly that I didn’t check for something like that.

Current plan A and I’m open to suggestions/warnings here. We’re going to try gluing the post together, maybe use a slightly longer screw if there’s room and fingers crossed that it doesn’t shake loose during operation. My project right now is to find out what kind of plastic forms the body of the machine. Does anyone know?

Again with thanks.

Offline Tech12

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2015, 08:41:47 am »
If you need to glue the post back in, line it up dry first & make an alignment mark. Use plumbers pipe weld to glue the 2 pieces together (better than super glue) & align the marks. Once it's fully cured, you could use plastic putty to strengthen the post.
When refitting the screw, make sure you don't over tighten it. Never had 1 where the screws have shaken loose.
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Offline MVacs

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2015, 09:07:48 am »
They are made from ABS.

Offline beko1987

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2015, 10:56:57 am »
Glad you got it off. Someone must have been there before though, as there's only 3 screws. Hopefully it's not chewed up the thread on the hole too much. You may get away with a slightly wider screw to sort this (then confuse the next refurbisher who opens it up when one screw isnt a torx!)

You could glue it up, qbond works well for dysons I find, but the cover itself is so cheap, mvacs or someone else on here (I have no spares I'm afraid) should be able to send you one for a beer and postage.
Collector and restorer of vintage vacuums, Dyson Appreciator! Come and see my blog, where I am uploading all my mountains of brochures, manuals and other vacuum cleaner paperwork, and also my youtube channel @beko1987!

Offline Sono

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2015, 12:25:00 pm »
My manners have been nagging me to post a thank you.

We finally finished up last weekend. The broken post was glued successfully and held, clutch installed, belts stretched (yikes!), and the rest of the parts reassembled, ready for the moment of truth–works like a charm.

I kept the mysterious 4th clutch cover screw as a kind of token, a reminder to stop, think, retrace steps if necessary, when something is stubbornly “illogical”.

We would not have had the confidence to continue without advice from this forum.

Thank you for your help.

Offline beko1987

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2015, 01:23:11 pm »
Excellent,  well done on a satisfying outcome! Once youve done it its not as scary is it!
Collector and restorer of vintage vacuums, Dyson Appreciator! Come and see my blog, where I am uploading all my mountains of brochures, manuals and other vacuum cleaner paperwork, and also my youtube channel @beko1987!

Offline MVacs

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2015, 06:52:38 pm »
Sono, as you are in the US, could you check the first three digits of your serial number in our tool here please?

https://manchestervacs.co.uk/Dyson/serial-lookup

If it doesn't recognise it, can I have it please?

I'm not sure our US data is up to date on model recognition.

Same goes for any other passing reader with a non UK Dyson.  ;)

Offline Sono

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2015, 03:52:33 am »
Yes, it's in the system. (Serial number 177...Full Access)

Offline MVacs

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #10 on: November 11, 2015, 09:16:53 am »
Yes, it's in the system. (Serial number 177...Full Access)

Thanks for that.  :thumbsup:

Offline kofat

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Re: DC14 Clutch cover is stuck
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2018, 06:04:29 pm »
There are 4 screws to remove - or at least 3 correct ones. The hidden one is the problem child. If you do not rotate the head to the correct position, you can remove the wrong 3rd screw.  I did. Cover would not come off. Broke it. Then I saw that the rear screw was not removed even though I had removed 3 already. This could be your problem.  Once it was off, the cover should come off relatively easily.

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