Kenmore canister pile height adjustment broke

My parents had several from the 1970s-90s. Most often problem is the handle release pedal would wear so handle wouldn't lock in upright position. (Not a huge issue). Also on the ones with gas pump handles the plug for the power nozzle would break loose and cause it to turn on and off when moved to and fro. Easily fixed by gluing back down.

I have never seen the height adjuster break like this before though.

When I bought this red one 8 year ago, I found it on Sears website at a different store on clearance and drove there to get it. It was either a return or demo unit and came with some scuffing on the bumpers and no box. But it did have all the attachments and paperwork. I got it for less than $100 which was a good deal considering it had all the bells and whistles and went new for about $400. Not that I would pay that for any vacuum. LOL

I have had one issue before. It has the adjustable wand with LED light on the end. About 6 months after I got it, I tried to adjust it and the light went off, brush motor and lights, etc went out. I guess the cable in the wand broke. Fortunately they still honored the warranty although it was a return so I took it to the Sears here in town, and they had it repaired at no charge.

That's the only issue I've had with it up until now, and I have used it fairly frequently. Used to take it to vacuum at church, clean around house and vacuum the car with it. Looked on Sears website and they still have parts for it, but pricey and I heard Sears has issues with getting them shipped. I'm not sure I would buy anything from Sears at this point. Sorry, not so much the products or employees I have an issue with, just the management at top.


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Post# 427271 6/19/2020 at 11:32 (1,406 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes Last week, I was using my red Kenmore Progressive 3rd gen canister. I went to adjust the pile height on the Powermate and when I pushed on the pedal, the little indicator inside the window stopped moving and the axle didn't move up or down. Seems I need a new height adjuster. I do have an older sky blue Kenmore power nozzle (1st gen Progressive style) with the wheels on the sides. I could use that for parts, since one wheel is missing. But does anyone know if the height adjuster will interchange with this newer red Powermate with dirt sensor lights and rollers on back? I haven't looked inside but I can see that the pedal itself is different. I also looked on eBay and there were a few adjuster assemblies but it wasn't clear to which models they fit. My guess is they are all the same, since Panasonic and now Cleva make all of them.

Post# 427296 , Reply# 1 6/19/2020 at 13:07 (1,406 days old) by suckolux (Yuba City, CA)
Checkrate/Likes I've always had a thing for the Kenmore cannisters, but they do have parts which snap/give way. It didn't used to bother me so much as our local Sears had a warehouse with shipping and parts right here. I have I believe the same model canister but I don't use it too much for that reason I don't want to break it

Post# 427326 , Reply# 2 6/19/2020 at 16:22 (1,406 days old) by fan-of-fans (USA)
Checkrate/Likes 1 My parents had several from the 1970s-90s. Most often problem is the handle release pedal would wear so handle wouldn't lock in upright position. (Not a huge issue). Also on the ones with gas pump handles the plug for the power nozzle would break loose and cause it to turn on and off when moved to and fro. Easily fixed by gluing back down. I have never seen the height adjuster break like this before though. When I bought this red one 8 year ago, I found it on Sears website at a different store on clearance and drove there to get it. It was either a return or demo unit and came with some scuffing on the bumpers and no box. But it did have all the attachments and paperwork. I got it for less than $100 which was a good deal considering it had all the bells and whistles and went new for about $400. Not that I would pay that for any vacuum. LOL I have had one issue before. It has the adjustable wand with LED light on the end. About 6 months after I got it, I tried to adjust it and the light went off, brush motor and lights, etc went out. I guess the cable in the wand broke. Fortunately they still honored the warranty although it was a return so I took it to the Sears here in town, and they had it repaired at no charge. That's the only issue I've had with it up until now, and I have used it fairly frequently. Used to take it to vacuum at church, clean around house and vacuum the car with it. Looked on Sears website and they still have parts for it, but pricey and I heard Sears has issues with getting them shipped. I'm not sure I would buy anything from Sears at this point. Sorry, not so much the products or employees I have an issue with, just the management at top.