Well here it is back together and running strong! I replaced the exhaust filter, new hose, cleaned it completely in and out! New Belt, head light, and polished! I am always amazed at the strength of these vacuums, such strong suction!

I had one of those too.  Had one....there's that 20/20 hindsight thing happening again.  The suction is great and it's relatively quiet too.  My only complaint was that emptying them is a messy prospect.

Thats the only thing I don't like about them. But then again I remember my mother always having me take the bag out of either the GE or Signature, taking it out to the trash can and banging it agains it to get it clean!!! We are just spoiled thanks to disposable bags!

This D31X smells so nice now with the new filters and a good cleaning! I was given a hint on how to eliminate dog and cat, cigarette odors, really just about any smell. Its called Majestic Carpet Solutions, Triple Action Spotter,deodorizer, protector. Its multi Enzyme, removes spots and stains also. I came across this at a local vacuum store. I am friends with them and go into the work room, watch them do their work on all sorts of vacuums when I noticed Ger was spraying this Majestic all over a Kirby Bag  just before finishing his work on it. And man it smelt very good. Returns the vacuum to a more fresh, new smell. He gave me a bottle to try and I use it on all my vacuums especially vacuum bags. I spray it on and then zip up the bag and turn on the vacuum, let it inflate the bag and it refreshes the house but also dries the bag out !