Thread Number: 37291  /  Tag: 80s/90s Vacuum Cleaners
Hoover Elites & the like: post 'em here!
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Post# 397964   9/8/2018 at 18:56 (2,028 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

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Hi vac fans,

Since I recently acquired a Hoover Legacy II Total System Performance 820 (U4551-910), I've been thinking...we haven't had a Hoover Elite thread in years. Many of you possess some really nice vacuums based on Hoover's Elite platform; share them with the group in this thread! Elite, Legacy, Runabout, Encore, Turbopower, Preferred, Dimension, Tempo, Soft & Light, Commercial Lightweight, and anything else based on the platform are all welcome here.

I'll start. Although I don't have an "Elite" per se, I have two vacuums which come close: Legacy II U4551-910 and C1403. The Legacy is from 1992, and, so far as I can tell, was their TOL at the time. It has a switch in the handle, the larger tool caddy, a muffler panel in the dirt tube, a dual-row brush roll and a 7.5 amp motor. The C1403 is from 1991 and is the commercial version of the Elite 200. Its distinguishing features include a 35-foot commercial cord, double insulation for commercial use, and a janitorial cart hook.

For those who want to hear more about my new Legacy II, keep reading.

The soft-bagged Hoover Legacy has been on my "WANTED" list longer than any other vacuum, so imagine my delight when I won the auction for this vacuum. It arrived needing a bit of work. The vacuum was scuffed and dirty, to be expected. The bad news was that the sliding gate for hose conversion was missing, the motor shell and fan housing were both cracked, and the motor bearings were gritty and worn out. The good news was that, miraculously, the bag was in tip-top shape, the cord was flawless, and all of the attachments were included.

Have you ever wondered what your Elite would have sounded new, out of the box? Replace both motor bearings! It's a worthwhile challenge. I had to drill out the rivets retaining the bearing on the fan side and use a specialty bearing puller on the belt side. This is not too hard if you use the right tools. Two new 608-2RS bearings from the local industrial supply store and two new blind rivets later, the motor sounds smooth as silk.

All in all, I decided to replace both motor bearings, the motor shell, the fan housing, the fan (put in a NOS genuine 20-blade unit), the belt-side motor mount, and the brush roll (put in a NOS genuine double-row unit), the light bulb, and I installed a new sliding gate for using the hose. I'm quite pleased with the result.


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Post# 397971 , Reply# 1   9/8/2018 at 22:06 (2,028 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

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That Legacy II looks interesting, I don't seem to remember that tool caddy with the tools on the side.

I used to have a Legacy hardcase in maroon. I guess it was a fairly high end model, had the air freshener, switch on handle, slider tool conversion, etc. But I sold it.

I currently have an early Elite II in dark gray with the bag having light gray and red stripes. I don't know much else about it, but it sounds terrible so probably needs new bearings. I got it because it was an early model, don't know that I'll keep it as I haven't much interest in it. I don't even have the original tools for it.


Post# 398173 , Reply# 2   9/13/2018 at 19:16 (2,023 days old) by Mpbyrd (Connelly Springs, NC)        
Here are a few of mine

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I’ve always loved Elites as they were what my great grandmother had for years and I just inherited her last one when she passed. Here are a few picks of mine minus a few I have I storage. The last pic of the Elite running was my great grandmothers.

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Post# 398247 , Reply# 3   9/14/2018 at 21:13 (2,022 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)        

fan-of-fans's profile picture
My Elite looks like the third from right in your first picture. It sound bad, with the bearings, and I don't have the correct attachments for it.
That green Elite Supreme was what my grandma had too. She had it from 1996-2007.

I like that Westinghouse Mobilaire fan too!


Post# 398268 , Reply# 4   9/15/2018 at 00:07 (2,022 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
nice array

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I have the vault one in burgundy.

Post# 398325 , Reply# 5   9/16/2018 at 08:18 (2,021 days old) by Mpbyrd (Connelly Springs, NC)        
Fans

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I absolutely love my Westinghouse fan. It moves air better than anything you can buy nowdays.
And Thanks John! I would love to see all the Hoover in your House! Lol


Post# 398332 , Reply# 6   9/16/2018 at 11:58 (2,020 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I'd like to see all of mine, too. lol

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
I have over 450 Hoover products.... I KNOW !!
I'm having rain gutters installed tomorrow. Then, I'm getting an estimate on the things needed in the Hoover Gallery.
I'll be able to sort, display, etc a lot better then.
They DO multiply!


Post# 398335 , Reply# 7   9/16/2018 at 14:45 (2,020 days old) by broomvac (N/A)        

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Thanks for sharing!

@fan-of-fans I believe the striped Elites were exclusive to Kmart. If you were interested in getting yours back in shape, it's not too hard. Both of the motor bearings can be replaced as I described in my original post. I replaced both of mine with bearings of exactly the same size for less than $10 total. Alternatively, you could just pop the seals off the originals, clean them out, and re-grease them. Either way, you would be giving your Elite a second wind!

@Mpbyrd You have a nice array! I enjoy seeing the wide variety of Elites Hoover produced.

@gottahaveahoove I'd be interested in seeing the vault Elite.



Post# 398384 , Reply# 8   9/17/2018 at 22:40 (2,019 days old) by Rivstg1 (colorado springs)        
gottahaveahoove,

rivstg1's profile picture
"They DO multiply! " thats...hilarious!


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