Dyson & Sebo Vacuum Cleaner Repair & Advice Forums

Dyson Models => First Generation "The Ball" Dysons. => Topic started by: Swoops on August 25, 2011, 12:59:49 am

Title: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Swoops on August 25, 2011, 12:59:49 am
Hi,

I have a DC18 with a broken undercarriage assembly that I am about to replace.

Does anyone have a service manual, detailed instructions or advice on how to carry out this repair.

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: MVacs on September 25, 2011, 05:04:41 pm
Our South African pal is the expert on these. I am not sure documentation exists for those. He will know.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Dyson Repair Essex on April 11, 2012, 03:50:41 pm
Hello ALL,

Has anyone done an undercarriage replacement on a DC18? I have a customer that a few months ago broke the transparent part of the undercarriage that we replaced but now has broken the grey plastic knob on the left wheelarm that rotates the suction from hose to head?

If anyone has done this could they please let me know if it was a pain or pretty straight forward.

Thanks
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Gonerafting on April 13, 2012, 04:48:36 am
I replaced my undercarriage yesterday and it is very straight forward.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: ldemeo on May 31, 2012, 09:04:11 am
 :( OK - so how do you replace it?  I ordered a new one
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Dyson Repair Essex on May 31, 2012, 08:11:09 pm
It invollves quite a few screws but once you are infront of the machine it is straight forward. If you want me to run you through it i can, just send me a message. Or if you are in Essex i can come and help.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Dyson Tech on June 01, 2012, 09:55:06 pm
If you want me to run you through it i can, just send me a message.

It would be handy if you could document it here for the benefit of others as well if you have a chance. Its a frequently asked question.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: markcorrado1 on June 19, 2012, 11:37:19 pm
Fixed my DC18 last night and I've seen quite a few peeps asking for a write up so here's one to the best of my ability :)

Of course the normal disclaimer, do this at your own risk, I'm not liable for your mishaps :D

This is the reason your most likely here:
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/1.jpg)

Tools you'll need:

Torx: T-25, T-10 or T-15(can't remember), philips and flat screw driver
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/2.jpg)

1. Remove the wheel caps by prying with your hands, it's a bit stubborn but give it a little force:
Part Number 4 from diagram
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/3.jpg)

2. Now with the wheel caps removed you can use the T15/T10 to loosen the screw with the black washer behind it, unclip the spring and remove the bracket:
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/4.jpg)

3. Remove the 3 T25 screws and now comes the tricky part of removing the C clip where the rod goes through the wheel barrel; easy way for me is I turn the round part down and then I took the T25 bit and pushed down on the open part while gripping it with my thumb so it doesn't go flying:
Part Number 10 and 23 from diagram
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/5.jpg)

4. Pull the rod that goes through the barrel and now you can pry the yoke assembly up a little and remove the bracket from under the yoke assembly
 where the 3 T25 screws went into.  BE CAREFUL YOU CAN'T REMOEVE THE YOKE ASSEMBLY YET!!!

5. Before you can remove the yoke assembly you need to remove a microswitch (red wires) and also the wires that go to the floor pickup (black phone cord type wire) connection:
Part Number 18, 19 and 20 from diagram
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/6.jpg)

6. To remove the phone cord type wire, unscrew part number 7 and remove part number 6, you'll need to take apart the connector with a flat head screw driver so you can fish it through the yoke assembly. pay attention to where the black and white wires go, I used the lettering on the connector as my guides, yoke assembly is almost ready to come out:

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/7.jpg)

7. User your fingers or take a screw driver and pry at the black seal where the hose goes through the yoke assembly, once the black seal is removed you can pull the hose out. Now you should be able to remove the yoke assembly:

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/8.jpg)

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/9.jpg)


8. With all the wires and yoke assembly out of the way, unscrew the under carriage from the body, 4 screws under my hand and another 2 screws on the back, fish the phone cord type wire through while you pry apart and the under carriage should be in your hands  8) :thumbsup: :king:

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/10.jpg)

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/11.jpg)

From what I can remember that's about it, I may have missed a few steps in my head seen as I did this write up all from memory.  If I did forget anything let me know I'll gladly edit my post.

Also if you leave in the US you can buy the under carriage assembly from here:
http://www.vacuum-direct.com/dyson-dc18-under-carriage.aspx


Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: MVacs on June 20, 2012, 04:49:01 pm
Excellent write up!  :thumbsup:

I am sure it will be useful to many.  :icon_nod:

We are being asked for more and more of these, so I just ordered some in. Including UK courier delivery, they come out at £46.99. Anyone in the UK who needs one can >>click here<< (http://www.romancart.com/cart.asp?storeid=50952&itemname=Dyson%20DC18%20Undercarriage%20912376-01&price=46.99&quantity=1) to add one directly to the shopping cart.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Dyson Repair Essex on September 28, 2012, 10:13:04 pm
That was a great pictured tutorial above...

Looks like a big job but it's quite straight forward. We've had 4 in the past 3 weeks, all with the same problem, all needing under carriage replacements. Seems such a waste for the small part that breaks but oh well.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Huntsman on March 24, 2013, 10:13:25 am
Fixed my DC18 last night and I've seen quite a few peeps asking for a write up so here's one to the best of my ability :)

Of course the normal disclaimer, do this at your own risk, I'm not liable for your mishaps :D

This is the reason your most likely here:
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/1.jpg)

Tools you'll need:

Torx: T-25, T-10 or T-15(can't remember), philips and flat screw driver
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/2.jpg)

1. Remove the wheel caps by prying with your hands, it's a bit stubborn but give it a little force:
Part Number 4 from diagram
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/3.jpg)

2. Now with the wheel caps removed you can use the T15/T10 to loosen the screw with the black washer behind it, unclip the spring and remove the bracket:
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/4.jpg)

3. Remove the 3 T25 screws and now comes the tricky part of removing the C clip where the rod goes through the wheel barrel; easy way for me is I turn the round part down and then I took the T25 bit and pushed down on the open part while gripping it with my thumb so it doesn't go flying:
Part Number 10 and 23 from diagram
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/5.jpg)

4. Pull the rod that goes through the barrel and now you can pry the yoke assembly up a little and remove the bracket from under the yoke assembly
 where the 3 T25 screws went into.  BE CAREFUL YOU CAN'T REMOEVE THE YOKE ASSEMBLY YET!!!

5. Before you can remove the yoke assembly you need to remove a microswitch (red wires) and also the wires that go to the floor pickup (black phone cord type wire) connection:
Part Number 18, 19 and 20 from diagram
(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/6.jpg)

6. To remove the phone cord type wire, unscrew part number 7 and remove part number 6, you'll need to take apart the connector with a flat head screw driver so you can fish it through the yoke assembly. pay attention to where the black and white wires go, I used the lettering on the connector as my guides, yoke assembly is almost ready to come out:

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/7.jpg)

7. User your fingers or take a screw driver and pry at the black seal where the hose goes through the yoke assembly, once the black seal is removed you can pull the hose out. Now you should be able to remove the yoke assembly:

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/8.jpg)

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/9.jpg)


8. With all the wires and yoke assembly out of the way, unscrew the under carriage from the body, 4 screws under my hand and another 2 screws on the back, fish the phone cord type wire through while you pry apart and the under carriage should be in your hands  8) :thumbsup: :king:

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/10.jpg)

(https://manchestervacs.co.uk/dysonimages/DC18/11.jpg)

From what I can remember that's about it, I may have missed a few steps in my head seen as I did this write up all from memory.  If I did forget anything let me know I'll gladly edit my post.

Also if you leave in the US you can buy the under carriage assembly from here:
http://www.vacuum-direct.com/dyson-dc18-under-carriage.aspx
Stunning; very helpful.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: job_casey on December 01, 2013, 09:20:44 pm
hi all, my new DC18 doesn't have any suction through the hose, just the upright function.  Does anyone think I could repair it without buying a full new undercarriage?
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: __russ__ on December 02, 2013, 09:22:12 am
hi all, my new DC18 doesn't have any suction through the hose, just the upright function.  Does anyone think I could repair it without buying a full new undercarriage?

Have you identified whether it is the lug that's snapped off as circled in black above?
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: theheadschoice on May 19, 2016, 11:44:41 pm
Well I've got one in here with the two screw holes split in two, vertically, above the suction port... (shown in the last picture. I thought I had a used one to replace it and boy am I glad I read this forum. The suction wouldn't have been changing from the hose to floor if I had put that on!

Well, at least I'll be able to combine these two undercarriages and make one good used one!
Now THAT'S going to be tricky.

Thanks for the breakdown and all the info everyone!
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: beko1987 on May 20, 2016, 11:05:18 am
Excellent info, I really must get my 18 fixed and sold one day!
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Jess on January 27, 2019, 01:47:43 am
It appears markcorrado1 has not been active on the forum for quite some time. Just in case he pops in on occasion wanted to express my gratitude for the pictures he put up as they were a great help when did my teardown last week. so thank you Mark ;) !
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: MVacs on January 27, 2019, 06:09:25 pm
You did well to find one now (if a new one) as they are discontinued I recall. Did you find a new one or a used one?
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: Jess on January 27, 2019, 06:52:41 pm
Not new but in pretty good shape.

Free - as not changing over (dirt & hair blockage).
Along with foot pedal not working. -  the clear plastic, that think had degraded/broken down enough & stressed,  to finally break when did the teardown.

Did notice that where the changeover valve is screwed onto the chassis that one screw point was starting to split the plastic - Recollect that being mentioned by someone else, somewhere. Wonder if there is a plastic glue/mend that might nip further splitting in the bud?

Excluding those issues tho, otherwise in amazing condition  - would be worth trying to find the replacement parts or to figure out a way to cobble something up.
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: rsdodo on June 14, 2020, 09:55:56 pm
Hi All,

 where can I find an undercarriage in USA for a replacement?
Title: Re: Replacing DC18 undercarriage assembly
Post by: MVacs on June 15, 2020, 04:14:11 pm
Hi All,

 where can I find an undercarriage in USA for a replacement?

We may have a good used one, I'll check tomorrow.