Early Royal Disassembly

This was working for about 10 minutes last Sunday. I smelled a faint electrical smell then a pop came from the switch area. I looked at it last night. I figured it was the switch so I bypassed it. Still nothing. I’m thinking it is the carbon brushes. The problem is that they are stuck on both sides and won’t come out (just the springs). So I need to get the armature out. In order to do that I need to remove the fan. Unlike the Kirby classic 1cr or lower there is no place that I can see to hold the armature in place while I remove the fan. Usually, on a Kirby I use an ice pick to hold the armature still.

I’ve asked this question a number of years ago and was unable to get a clear answer. It’s ok because If I can’t figure out how to get the fan off or why this Royal won’t run. I’ll take it to the VCCC convention next month and hopefully someone will take it. I also have another similar model without the headlight, which also needs serviced.

Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size


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Post# 463082 5/11/2023 at 11:07 (348 days old) by kloveland (Tulsa)
Checkrate/Likes 1 This was working for about 10 minutes last Sunday. I smelled a faint electrical smell then a pop came from the switch area. I looked at it last night. I figured it was the switch so I bypassed it. Still nothing. I’m thinking it is the carbon brushes. The problem is that they are stuck on both sides and won’t come out (just the springs). So I need to get the armature out. In order to do that I need to remove the fan. Unlike the Kirby classic 1cr or lower there is no place that I can see to hold the armature in place while I remove the fan. Usually, on a Kirby I use an ice pick to hold the armature still. I’ve asked this question a number of years ago and was unable to get a clear answer. It’s ok because If I can’t figure out how to get the fan off or why this Royal won’t run. I’ll take it to the VCCC convention next month and hopefully someone will take it. I also have another similar model without the headlight, which also needs serviced. Photos... < > Photo 1 of 2 View Full Size

Post# 463087 , Reply# 1 5/11/2023 at 15:01 (348 days old) by kirbyklekter (Concord,Ca.)
Checkrate/Likes *stuck brushes* Do you have spare carbon brushes for this motor? I was wondering if you could try to work the stuck carbons out carefully reaching them with what ever you can fit down the holder and tapping lightly on the brush or jarring it loose. I had a similar situation like yours and figured I'd lose the brush in removing it by damaging it but I just wanted it out of there what ever it took. With an ice pick and tweezers I was able to dislodge the brush and then with a canister vac I sucked it on up and out. It had crumbled at one edge and the holder was nearly making contact with the armature. I was careful not to scratch the copper poles the brushes ride on. Replaced both brushes and my friend brought over a seating stick(stone) and with the motor running he pushed the stone against the armature thru an opening and seated the brushes really fast. I'm guessing that a short somewhere on your Royal's on/off switch where you heard the pop is what practically fried your carbons. Can you go down thru the brush holders with something to hold the armature in place? That's assuming you were able to remove the brushes! Something that won't damage the armature? A wooden dowel? Wishing you all the best. Billy

Post# 463088 , Reply# 2 5/11/2023 at 15:22 (348 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes In The openings highlighted upright put a screwdriver and that is where you'll see the armature fan. You hold armature fan in place while spinning off the fan. View Full Size

Post# 463089 , Reply# 3 5/11/2023 at 15:24 (348 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes Um Don't try to stop the motor through the carbon brushes openings. It will ruin the motor very quickly.

Post# 463090 , Reply# 4 5/11/2023 at 16:34 (348 days old) by Kloveland (Tulsa)
Checkrate/Likes Les, yes but I’m afraid I’ll bend the armature fan. Trying to get the main fan off. I thought of trying something similar to the first suggestion.

Post# 463094 , Reply# 5 5/11/2023 at 23:07 (348 days old) by Lesinutah (Utah)
Checkrate/Likes *Use* a number 2 pencil or a pen. Spray wd40 on bearing plate might help as well

Post# 463110 , Reply# 6 5/12/2023 at 18:29 (347 days old) by KirbyClassicIII (Milwaukie, Oregon)
Checkrate/Likes *kloveland* Kenny, Here is a Royal 880 disassembly video to aid you. ~Ben