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Other Vacuum Cleaners & Site Suggestions => Vax Vacuum Cleaners => Topic started by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:09:09 pm

Title: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:09:09 pm
Hello! Sorry I've been a bit quiet, life has been up, down and busy lately, and I've been tinkering in the background, but haven't honestly had time to write any rebuild threads!

Until tonight, and I thought I would start with the Vax Mach Air. I bought this for £5 from facebook, and initially things weren't great with it


But a quick unblock of the filter had it fighting fit


Much better! Let's have it apart

[attachimg=1]

The wand/handle comes off first

[attachimg=2]

This orange end cap pops off

[attachimg=3]

and the adjuster mechanism started off well

[attachimg=4]

but it quickly became apparent that it wasn't coming apart, so I left it be.

[attachimg=5]

The other small part of the wand comes off, and that's about it!

Cyclone off

[attachimg=6]

Cord off

[attachimg=7]

To remove the hose, 2 screws need to be removed from here

[attachimg=8]

and this screw here to release the hose at the bottom

[attachimg=9]

Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:14:04 pm
The end of the hose pops off, and the seal comes off too

[attachimg=1]

Switches now, there are 2 screws on the front

[attachimg=2]

Next (as I found out, those screws aren't the only ones, so you could do this first) pop out the switch covers and remove them and the springs

[attachimg=3]

And the 3rd screw reveals itself

[attachimg=4]

Some gentle levering releases a small catch and the housing separates

[attachimg=5]

At this stage I removed the handle lock (it was easier to take a photo of it like this!)

[attachimg=6]

and the spring bit

[attachimg=7]

The switch housing lifts off now

[attachimg=8]

Revealing the main power and brushroll switch

[attachimg=9]

Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:18:00 pm
The switches lift out now

[attachimg=1]

and unplug

[attachimg=2]

Had to chop this crimp off to get the wires out

[attachimg=3]

and the mains cable is gone

[attachimg=4]

The spinal cord can be pulled out now

[attachimg=5]

This tool holder can be unscrewed if you like

[attachimg=6]

[attachimg=7]

2 screws sit at the base of the spine

[attachimg=8]

and the spine lifts off

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:28:43 pm
This is easier to photograph now!

[attachimg=1]

Time to lie down

[attachimg=2]

Now someone explained to me on a comment how to split the machine, so thank you MadAboutHoovers from the first youtube video, I took heed!

Pop the centre caps off the wheels, and the wheels fall off

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

But, some of the screws were hidden, so a different approach is needed.

Back to the top, brushroll cover off

[attachimg=5]

The orange PCB cover unscrews next

[attachimg=6]

and removed the little LED lens

[attachimg=7]

This is the PCB inside the brushroll housing

[attachimg=8]

Next, time to go back underneath to remove the screws holding the middle housing in place. You will see most of the screws here

[attachimg=9]

Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:37:24 pm
there is a screw either side here behind the wheels

[attachimg=1]

and one hiding under the ratings sticker

[attachimg=2]

With all that undone, turn the machine back over, we need to look at wires

This is the main power feed to the PCB, remove the cable clamp

[attachimg=3]

and undo the terminals to remove the wires

[attachimg=4]

Remove the power wires to the brushroll motor from the other side

[attachimg=5]

There's a date of 09/09-2010 on the PCB, my 23nd birthday!

With the wires removed, and the screws removed, the housing can lift off the lower chassis

[attachimg=6]

With the middle layer removed, the pivot screws become visible now

[attachimg=7]

and within one side of the pivot point is the brushroll motor micro switch

[attachimg=8]

With the microswitch and reset switch removed the PCB lifts out now

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:45:11 pm
The suction channels are formed with both sides of the housing, and it runs around the edges.

[attachimg=1]

The 2 halves can be removed from each other now

[attachimg=2]

Brushroll motor out now

[attachimg=3]

The supporting bracket unscrews

[attachimg=4]

Motor data

[attachimg=5]

Brushroll out

[attachimg=6]

End caps off

[attachimg=7]

and clean up the brushroll

[attachimg=8]

The 2 clips that hold the see through cover on snap off

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:48:52 pm
The front wheels pop out

[attachimg=1]

The hose inlet for the floor suction is an adapter that screws on

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

This metal bracket locks the machine upright, and provides enough resistance to keep it there

[attachimg=4]

Onto the motor now

[attachimg=5]

Post motor filter and cover off

[attachimg=6]

The lower hose guide ring has another screw, which is on the top of the motor housing

[attachimg=7]

[attachimg=8]

and some screws later

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 10:56:51 pm
There is a diffuser that sits on top of the motor, and the 2 rubbers that locate the motor into the housing are also seen

[attachimg=1]

3 more sodding crimps to remove

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

This allows the motor to be removed

The foam sound deadening pulls off the motor

[attachimg=4]

Motor data

[attachimg=5]

Within the motor housing, the fancase seal can be removed

[attachimg=6]

The thermal cutout sits behind the motor

[attachimg=7]

[attachimg=8]

The spinal cord comes in from the top via a clamp

[attachimg=9]


Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:02:39 pm
and a second small cable goes out of the motor housing, around the back of the housing and through the pivot point onwards to the PCB

[attachimg=1]

The suction channels awkwardly screws onto the back of the motor housing

[attachimg=2]

this highlights the cheap spray finish applied to this machine, which explains why it looks so shit when it scratches up

[attachimg=3]

Getting there now, time for the cyclone!

[attachimg=4]

With the lid off, we see 2 screws

[attachimg=5]

Which releases the handle and release button with its spring

[attachimg=6]

The release valve clips on from underneath

[attachimg=7]

Onto the other end, at the end of the cyclone 'cone' is a rubber seal

[attachimg=8]

The cyclone to bin seal slips off the top

[attachimg=9]

Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:07:13 pm
To split the cyclone further we have to remove lots of screws

[attachimg=1]

which reveals the top of the cones

[attachimg=2]

The cyclone seal is built into the top

[attachimg=3]

To separate the cone and shroud, this locking ring needs to be rotated

[attachimg=4]

The shroud just lifts off

[attachimg=5]

[attachimg=6]

The cone can be removed from the top part by these blurry screws

[attachimg=7]

[attachimg=8]

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:11:06 pm
The bin flap pops off it's pivot points

[attachimg=1]

and the bin flap seal pulls off

[attachimg=2]

The release latch pops off

[attachimg=3]

and it's finally apart!

[attachimg=4]

Vax do like their screws

[attachimg=5]

and after a day or two it was all washed, dried and polished

[attachimg=6]

[attachimg=7]

and in reverse order, it's time to re-assemble it! Bin latch on

[attachimg=8]

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:14:53 pm
The bin flap seal is fitted

[attachimg=1]

and the flap itself is popped on

[attachimg=2]

Cone/shroud now

[attachimg=3]

[attachimg=4]

The cone top and cone bottom are keyed, and there is a tab to line up

[attachimg=5]

Fit the screws

[attachimg=6]

Lower the shroud onto the cone

[attachimg=7]

[attachimg=8]

and fit the locking ring

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:18:34 pm
Fit the top seal

[attachimg=1]

and do up all the screws. The very top part is keyed the same as the middle part, where the center screw goes.

[attachimg=2]

Fit the tip top seal

[attachimg=3]

Fit the bin to the cyclone

[attachimg=4]

Refit the release valve

[attachimg=5]

Assemble the cyclone handle

[attachimg=6]

and fit it

[attachimg=7]

Moving on, fit the suction channel spider bit to the motor housing

[attachimg=8]

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:26:48 pm
Fit both halves of the spinal wire. This caught me out, the wires are a different thickness, so will only fit one way. Strip the ends cut earlier in readiness for new crimps

[attachimg=1]

Lay the motor down next to it

[attachimg=2]

Find your crimps

[attachimg=3]

fit the thermal cutout and crimp all the wires back together

[attachimg=4]

Fit the motor foams and rubber locating pegs, and fit the motor to the housing

[attachimg=5]

and screw the 2 halves together

[attachimg=6]

fit the post filter

[attachimg=7]

Add that to the done pile

[attachimg=8]

Onto the brushroll part now. Fit the metal bracket

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:31:17 pm
Fit the hose inlet

[attachimg=1]

then the front wheels

[attachimg=2]

then the brushroll cover catches

[attachimg=3]

Pop the end caps on the brushroll, slip the belt on and fit it all to the housing

[attachimg=4]

Fit the brushroll motor

[attachimg=5]

Lower the motor housing onto the brushroll housing

[attachimg=6]

and with 3 hands, fit the micro switch, and reset switch with it's cover (it all just about stays still if you're careful)

[attachimg=7]

But with the pivot covers fitted holds itself. Don't forget to feed the cable through the LH one.

[attachimg=8]

Fit the top housing on now, feeding all the wires through

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:35:05 pm
When fitting the cover, be careful to not knock the reset button out of it's little ledge

[attachimg=1]

then screw everything down

[attachimg=2]

Wire the PCB up and tidy all the cables

[attachimg=3]

and fit the orange top cover

[attachimg=4]

Pop the brushroll cover on

[attachimg=5]

Pop the wheels on

[attachimg=6]

Back to having to step back to take pictures, fit the spine

[attachimg=7]

Fit the tool holder

[attachimg=8]

Feed the spinal cord into it's slot, fit the mains cable and re-fit the switches

[attachimg=9]
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 03, 2016, 11:41:00 pm
Then fit the switch housing and switch covers

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

Next was to fit the hose. Now this is a short hose, like a DC24, this machine has an optional very long stretch hose, which I haven't got so to get a few extra inches I didn't feed it through the bottom loop

[attachimg=3]

And with that, it's done!

[attachimg=4]

Now, before I had a chance to think of selling it, my mum gave it a go when she was round one day, and liked it. She had a panasonic upright I got out of a skip years ago, which was too heavy for her to use, so, since it only owed me a fiver, I gave it to her, and it is now her upstairs vacuum!

[attachimg=5]

It works very very well, better than her Miele cylinder with air powered turbo brush, so occasionally I bring it downstairs so she can go over the ground floor. The Miele is still needed for the kitchen though, as the vax just glues itself to the floor and she can't move it.

So a happy ending! Which reminds me, I have not filmed an 'after' video yet. It's dirty now, of course, but I should do something...

Anyway, hope you enjoyed it! And one machine is written up. 6 more to go! (and more to refurbish!)

Bye!
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: renault567 on November 04, 2016, 12:17:26 am
Amazin thread. Btw your story about your mum reminds me of a elderly relative who has a battered 01 absolute and a hardly used dc24. She always insists the 01 does a better job. Despite it back breaking for her to use, and refuses to use the 24 as it feels too light  :D
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 04, 2016, 12:34:13 pm
It didn't help that the Panasonic was utter shyte. Had suction, but the brushroll was so soft it did nothing, and wasn't too light despite what it said. I vacuumed thoroughly with the Air the day I handed it over and 3/4 filled the bin, and only had 2 rooms and the landing to do as one of the bedrooms has no carpet after moth issues last year!
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: dysondc16 on November 05, 2016, 12:33:45 am
Interesting, I've never seen the insides of one of these. Glad your mum likes it!
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: Parwaz7862 on November 05, 2016, 01:36:45 am
Brilliant! I got offered one of these traded in for a DC14 Animal today for collection on Tuesday... but it's an Air 3
I quite like these early Mach airs as they look more basic and simple, I had the latest total home pets upright and it was utter crap, so many clips poking out the sides for various tools, hoses, poles you name it! :o The cyclones were also horrific, after one use the filter got pretty dusty

The performance was great though
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 09, 2016, 11:37:15 am
This works quite well, it's very light, and feels very plasticky, but does a good job. The filter is quite dusty now though, and the top bin seal is catching lots of dust.

Is doing a grand job though, and hasn't blown up yet!
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: Parwaz7862 on November 10, 2016, 09:04:22 am
Brill, mine was good performance wise, but the rest of it wasn't really impressive especially at the £300ish price tag :o
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 10, 2016, 10:13:05 am
£300!?!?

Bloody hell, I paid £15 for this one, and tbh brand new it's a £70 tops machine to me!
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: Parwaz7862 on November 10, 2016, 10:17:15 am
Yep! Out of all the vacuums you an get for £300, a nice Dyson or Miele, people choose a Vax :)) Wtf

I got lucky with mine, mine was no more than a year old, it was the new EU model with the improved brushroll, and it even had the new design with the airflow valve on the head, at £8 I scored (IIRC it was £8) Sold it later at £20 cos even looking at it pissed me off, it was a nightmare to clean out, like a DC25's amount worth of screws just to take apart the head and cyclone alone :o
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 10, 2016, 10:24:49 am
Vax's do use a massive amount of screws, your right! Luckily I have no vax's in the shed now
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: Parwaz7862 on November 10, 2016, 10:37:57 am
Lucky lol
I'm not gonna bother refurbish the vax power
1 I have, will just wipe it over  and spray the bin
Them bung it up at £20
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on November 10, 2016, 11:43:45 am
Hows the turboforce?
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: Parwaz7862 on November 10, 2016, 12:24:21 pm
Not bad, it grooms like a DC33 with a new brush and clutch (density is good)
Might sell it but the headlight is pretty cool, and it comes with all the tools so might hang onto it for a bit till the novelty maybe wears off
Never been happy with vax sadly, except this turbo force and the 6140 3 in 1 pets tub vac ;)

Ps the swivel castors are pretty weird! I can't see the benefit lol, I think standard wheels are better and make it easier to turn
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: steelcityuk on October 18, 2018, 12:36:59 pm
That's exactly the same Vax as I have. I bought two cheapies and made one good one. Works well but the bin is small and the filter needs banging out everytime it's used. I'm trying it with the bottom of the cyclone blocked by some plastic under the rubber seal to see if that helps. Having stove and three cats probably doesn't help.
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: CroftyJohn on January 05, 2020, 01:03:26 pm
Congratulations Mr BEKO1987 a brilliant set of photos. I have dismantled and maintained, repaired a VAX AIR MACH model U91-MA-B including replacing the power cable from the main motor to the brush roller PCB, quite a fiddle to feed it thru the axle yoke and bearing cap where it gets damaged in service.

I now am trying to find a supplier for the axle lock spring from the opposite side. This is to hold the handle and works in an upright position when not in use.

Can anyone advise where I might find such a spring in stock?

Thanks for all advice.
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: CroftyJohn on January 05, 2020, 01:07:13 pm
By the way "just pop out" the wheel retainer is absolutly a huge understatement. Just not possible. I even struggled to knock it out after prising the yoke assembly from the floor part. I think a modification to the retainer to reduce its stiffness is necessary.
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: Marko on April 22, 2020, 11:25:34 am
Great post and v. helpful. I have recently inherited a Vax Mach Air. Cleaned uit up and replaced all filters hoses and belt etc. Although brushes turn there is no suction.
Can someone  tell me the cause and give me a solution please?
Title: Re: Vax Mach Air U91 Stripdown and Refurb
Post by: beko1987 on April 22, 2020, 11:31:50 am
Great post and v. helpful. I have recently inherited a Vax Mach Air. Cleaned uit up and replaced all filters hoses and belt etc. Although brushes turn there is no suction.
Can someone  tell me the cause and give me a solution please?

Odd, should be loads of suction if you've done the filters!

Is there suction with the cyclone off? Take the cyclone off, and put your hand over where the suction comes from the chassis. If there's loads, put the cyclone back on. Does the machine suddenly start screaming? If so there is a blockage somewhere, or something isn't together correctly in the cyclone.

Also how did you clean the filter? Did you vacuum it off or rinse it in the sink? I had a vax once with the same symptoms but I'd vacuumed off the filter. one 3 hour 60 degree wash with the towels I had to do anyway fixed everything. Sounds odd, but take the filter out and put the bin back together then use masking tape/sellotape to seal the join (the filter provides the seal). Suction restored?

Otherwise I'm a bit sumped as you'd see a clog in the hose or brushroll housing...