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Author Topic: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.  (Read 9841 times)

Offline waff007

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Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« on: July 28, 2012, 08:23:58 pm »
Help please.  I noticed the machine was not working as well on the carpets (you can hear the difference when the machine is working on carpets).  I pulled it apart and see the lever but don't see what it's supposed to push against to change between the two.  I have the yellow/silver machine so it's not technically a "clutch" but I don't know what else to call it.  Any thoughts or ideas?

Offline macman

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2012, 11:18:30 pm »
If the machine has no clutch control (on left hand side of the housing as you face the front) then there is no other changeover lever. What lever are you referring to?
If it isn't working well on carpets then is the beater bar rotating? On a clutchless model it should be turning all the time. If not the belt could be broken or the beater bar jammed?
The changeover between cleaner head suction and wand suction is automatic and occurs when the machine is moved to and from the vertical position.

Offline Alexanola

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2012, 05:03:38 pm »
I just bought a purple colored DC7 animal used for $60 from someone on Craigslist.  I brought it home and it had some problems. Just goes to show don't buy a used product at 9p.m when you're not able to look at it closely.

So, I brought it home and the suction on the stand up part doesn't seem to work very well. I tried the hose attachment and that appears to work.  I tried cutting old string and hair off the brush.   It seemed a little better. But I don't really know what it should do when it's working properly. I tried looking at what the "bare floor" "carpet" setting does.  There seems to be a black lever that it moves underneath the machine, but I don't see what it pushes against.  I don't see the brush rolling by itself. Is it supposed to?  I downloaded the users manual but it seems pretty basic. Any tips would be appreciated. My carpets are oriental carpets so they are not very long or thick.

Offline macman

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2012, 05:16:48 pm »
The clutch lever in 'bare floor' setting stops the brush bar rotating in either position-reclined or upright. In 'carpet setting' mode it rotates only when the machine is reclined-not when upright.
If the brush bar doesn't rotate when reclined and set to 'carpet', then suspect a broken belt, seized brush bar or faulty clutch.
If you have good suction at the wand but not at the cleaner head, remove the brush roll holder and clean it and the brush bar, then check for blockages or holes in the bottom hose. Then recheck the suction.

Offline Alexanola

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2012, 05:35:37 pm »
Thanks.
I turned it on its side and changed the setting to see what it would do. The brush never rolled by itself so I'm guessing there's something wrong with that.  Any suggestions or manuals on how to check the belt or clutch?

Offline macman

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2012, 05:50:26 pm »
I repeat-the brush roll will only revolve when the machine is reclined-have you reclined it?
If so, you need to remove the soleplate (3 screws) and inspect the belt. Turn it to see if it has broken or stretched. If not, then you'll need a belt removal tool to remove the brush roll, and possibly then the clutch. Have you removed all the debris from the brush roll to see if it will turn freely?
Angus Black's DC07 Workshop Manual (link on this page)is all you need to service and repair this machine.

Offline Alexanola

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2012, 05:57:37 pm »
Thanks. I did recline it.  I looked at some other posts that seem to suggest that if the belts are broken, the clutch probably needs replacing. Is that your experience?

Offline macman

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2012, 08:45:57 pm »
Only one of the belts is easily replacaeable anyway without stripping down the clutch. If you are stripping it down, I'd put in a recon clutch-they're only about £9, which is not a lot more than a set of belts.
But until you inspect the belt and clutch, you won't know.

Offline MVacs

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2012, 01:08:33 pm »
Angus Black's DC07 Workshop Manual (link on this page)is all you need to service and repair this machine.

From the US, you can order from this page: DC07 repair manual US

Offline Alexanola

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2012, 10:08:25 pm »
I took out the clutch and the belts are not broken. Is there any way of checking if it is in fact the clutch that needs to be replaced? Or do you just have to try it? 

Offline macman

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Re: Bare Floors vs. Carpets - lever does not work.
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2012, 06:36:16 am »
On a good clutch, with the lever in one position the brushbar to clutch belt will be locked if the other belt is held stationary. In the other position the belt will rotate. If not, you need a new clutch. Also check the condition of the white wheel- if it's black, got flat spots etc, you need a new clutch.
if you have checked that the brushbar rotates freely and that there are no blockages at the cleaner head, then a faulty clutch is really the only possibility left.

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