Thread Number: 15374
Kenmore handle release pedal and bearings
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Post# 163392   12/26/2011 at 17:47 (4,476 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

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I notice that the handle release pedal on one of my Kenmore Power-Mates doesn't work: the handle will release without pressing the pedal, unless I push up on the pedal. I think this was caused by people pulling down on the handle without pressing the release pedal first. The Kenmores we had from the 1980s had the same thing happen to them. Does anyone know if this can be repaired by repositioning the pedal or do I need a new one?

Also, I oiled the bearings for the brushroll, but now that it is reassembled it seems stiff when I turn the brush by hand. Are the bearings not supposed to be oiled? Or maybe I put it together wrong?

Thanks


Post# 163455 , Reply# 1   12/27/2011 at 10:38 (4,475 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

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One more question. When I turn on the Power-Mate, I notice blue sparking from the under the right side of the motor. (I have the top off right now). Is this normal or is there a problem?

Post# 163575 , Reply# 2   12/28/2011 at 02:18 (4,475 days old) by gmerkt (Edmonds WA)        

Likely the reason the swivel won't lock into place is the middle tab on the pedal is broken off. This usually is the result of what you suspect: Numbnutzes pulling on the wand without stepping on the pedal to release the swivel. Also, very high-mileage Kenmore power nozzles will have the locking ridge worn off of the swivel so even an intact pedal won't lock.

The pedal costs about $7.50 from Sears (plus shipping of course). It's dead easy to change. It attaches to the elevation wheels axle by snap fit. You can push the broken one off carefully, then install the new one in about a minute.

Let's see. Bearings on the brush roll. Panasonic used a couple of different types on Kenmore stuff, the bronze bushing type and small ball bearings in races. In theory, you don't need to lubricate these. Neither one of them likes dirt, or particularly, hair/thread/fishing line/dental floss/carpet fiber wound around or behind them. Getting and keeping them clean, utterly, is the best way to get unimpeded revolution. The bronze bearings shouldn't be oiled as the oil would attract dust. The little ball bearings are sealed but the seals loosen up and hair and dirt gets into them. You can carefully take the seals off, clean out the bearing with solvent, re-grease it, then reseal it. This supposes that none of the little components aren't too far gone to save. So far as I know, the bearings are not serviced separately. They want you to buy a brush roll assembly. I get enough junkers that I can salvage parts and make one out of two if necessary. I've even substituted bearings from other manufacturers in a pinch (I do lots of Kenmores).

So if your bearings are clean and turn freely, the brush roll should turn easily when reinstalled. If not, check the end caps to make sure you haven't gotten one of these cocked somehow.

Oh yes, blue flames coming out of the motor. Well, a teensy-weensy bit of yellow spark is probably normal, not visible with the lights on. The blue spark/arc easily seen I wouldn't call normal. Your brushes may be worn/bad, the commutator might be worn. It sounds like high-mileage to me. If the motor is worn, think about getting a serviceable used part rather than working with the existing one.


Post# 163591 , Reply# 3   12/28/2011 at 09:44 (4,474 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

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THANKS for the information! Yes this is a high mileage machine, it was my mother's that she bought in 1999 and used until 2005 when the Power Mate started acting up and she got an upright. I took the Power-Mate apart to clean about 2007 and it was very, very dirty. She doesn't enjoy cleaning so didn't take much time to clean and service the vacuum other than changing the bag. She is better about this now though with her upright and other canister (which is identical to this one).

It has bronze brushroll bearings. To be more specific the brushroll does turn easily by hand on its own, but when I attach the belt to it, it doesn't turn as easily as I think it should. When I turn the Power-Mate on with the belt attached nothing happens, but if I remove the belt from the motor it will run.

I don't see any broken tabs on the release pedal, but the swivel does have a lot of scratches on the back, so that may be the issue as you said.

I may try to find a parts Power-Mate, but I rarely see them around. Sears does have the motor for about $33, the swivel for $13, and I also need a new lower wand and light bulb. They told me $42 for a lower wand with shipping. I could almost buy a new Power-Mate canister for the price of these parts I would need. LOL But I would like to get it going again as it is kind of sentimental.


Post# 164405 , Reply# 4   1/2/2012 at 19:28 (4,469 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

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Does anyone know where I can get replacement brushes for the Power-Mate motor? It is an Ametek/Lamb Div. 118139-21. I looked online but can't find any for this model.


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