Kenmore Canister Vacuum Cleaner Cover Removal

[@mpero3]

Thanks for this detailed video; really clear. I have a 20-yr-old Kenmore Progressive canister vacuum that retracted the cord AND plug all the way into the vacuum! So, after watching you pry that back piece off & trying 3 times, I got it off! Yay! But, unfortunately, I can't get the plug to go back out through the hole it went in through! Unbelievable! Guess it's time to take it to the shop. Thank you again for including all the details.

[@suchfunstuff]

Glad these old videos are still helping some folks. I've seen that happen in occassion with the plug going inside the body. The only way to fetch it is to remove the motor cover and cord reel assembly.

[@MsWings4]

Really good video. Will look to see if you have more do's and don'ts once cover is off. Thank you.

[@ronflynn383]

Thank you! Could not figure out were the screws were!

[@dougfehr]

The second half of this video is just what I needed. Thanks for the "how to". :)

[@jennlake614]

THANK YOU! You are the only thing that has shown how to access the 2nd set of screws. :)

[@Kim-ht1vl]

Thank you so much...you don't know how long we spent trying to take the canister top off.

[@story1234]

Awesome. Took me a while to find a way to pray the 80s90s one.

[@dratter24]

5:00 - 5:40 was exactly what I needed to know. Thank you very much for posting this video.

[@weathermannax416]

They are not all the same. I took apart my Aunt's Progressive model with ease. However, I have a 200 series and that has some other hidden latches or fasteners keeping the back half from coming loose. I for one like to install 120-volt hour meters in my appliances to see just how many hours of service I get from them. I cannot get into the 200 series to do that. My Hoover Quick Vac (bagless) has an hour meter in it, I had for the last 9 years & have 24.8 hours of service on it. I also have the Hoover carpet cleaner & that too is 9 years old but only 8.7 hours of service.

[@lanceschroeder3267]

Thank you so much for this excellent tutorial. I'm gonna go see if I can get this ole model fixed up. Sincere thanks

[@lilmonstergames5499]

Thank you, i couldn't find the back screws ether.

[@jackelliott872]

Thx, good stuff. Since you seem to repair and resell, can you explain how to clean/recondition the motor? Pls? Thx.

[@desertdispatch]

he makes it look easy of course hes done it a million times. good job thank you

[@TonyLima2]

Our Kenmore 360's bag cover was jammed upright. Your excellent instructions let me remove the cover. How do I put it back on? Reversing your procedure doesn't seem to work. Thanks for any help. - Tony

[@charleypow5131]

Thank you! Your video showed how to remove the rewind button in order to access the two screws below. Sears provided no help.

[@rogerglidewell8784]

I got the cover canopy off and therefor access to the cord retractor which is too weak to pull more than about half the cord back in. Is there a way to wind the spring up tighter to fix this problem

[@blevinsme1]

I was hoping you would walk through putting it back together. My canister cover is off and I'm having trouble putting it back. Worried will break.

[@suchfunstuff]

Which canister style do you have?

[@story1234]

Something just blow and caused an PCB burn smell. Power 1 and 2 still works but power 1 is missing some sound. What could it be? I only tested for few seconds before I turn it off.

[@RAin-q1y]

Can you describe how to remove stair grip the wheel has broken

[@magicdanz3]

Thank you very much! I taped the hose but did not see the hole on the bottom of the canister. JB weld to the rescue 1

[@mintsiez]

also clean the seal in front of the motor and around the base and tighten the screws back up in a star partner to make sure the top is sealed again

[@clydealcon4613]

I have a Kenmore Canister Vacuum Cleaner Model116.21514. Very similar as shown in your video. I need to take the cover off but find only the first front set of screws? Is the second set of screws located under the cord rewind button? If so, how do i get that off? I keep prying, but scared i'm going to break some plastic parts? Thanks, very interesting.

[@suchfunstuff]

Look under the little door on top of the canister, where the small powermate attachment is kept. I'm pretty sure the screws are in the corner. Don't try to remove the door, it's delicate. Just use a long screwdriver or phillips bit to get at them on an angle.

[@DBRMT]

I can't find ANY screws on my old workhorse! It's a Kenmore 6520 canister vac. I need to take it apart to good the cord retractor. Finally started to weakly reel the cord after 28 years! Wouldn't mind vacuuming out around the motor and inner filter too, if I could ever open the thing!!

[@suchfunstuff]

Can't find anything on that number. The actual model number on the bottom of the canister is more useful when looking up diagrams.

[@DBRMT]

Thanks for such a quick reply!! It says model 116 underneath

[@DBRMT]

116.3265290C ?? Second series of numbers that I've added is different font and size than the 116 so hopefully that's part of the model number?

[@DBRMT]

@@suchfunstuff here's a pic of the parts c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/00058340-00001.png but I can't figure out how to get the cover (part#1) off which is where I assume I'll find some screws! I've got the lid with the attachments inside off but stop no sign of screws anywhere.

[@suchfunstuff]

@@DBRMT Just looked at the diagram. That's the style body I thought you had. I actually do own one of those type of machines, but it's been buried in my storage unit since moving. Otherwise I would make a demonstration. You have to CAREFULLY pry at the two outside rear corners of the cover to start the removal. Not too far back, maybe an inch from the ends. If you poke around and don't force it hard, you'll find the tabs. Go easy on when you first start, this old plastic has gotten brittle. When you do manage to release the two tabs, the cover will pivot toward the front of the canister. Under that will be a plastic frame with screws and it's fairly easy at that point. Good luck.

[@billflyyeung3954]

Thanks. Mine is 8920. Thank you so much

[@rogerglidewell8784]

I've got one for you.....a 116.2234890 cannister. I can't get the cover canopy completely off the motor housing area. Two buttons come through it and I have the bag area side snaps loose but the back side is down tight. I find no screws anywhere and even the local shop can't figure it out. Can you help?

[@suchfunstuff]

Looked up that diagram. The very back of that cover just snaps into place. So you have to wedge a flat screwdriver near the corner of the cover and slightly bend it outward to unlatch it from the canister body. I would make a vid of it but I don't have any of that style canister.

[@eileenswint220]

Do you have a video how to replace a power head motor for a Kenmore elite 700

[@suchfunstuff]

Sorry, don't have anything around that new.

[@danrecine1988]

How do you get the motor out of the first model you removed the cover from?

[@kjcase]

great video! Any suggestions on how to remove the motor on the 360 model you started with? Went from being fairly quiet to just loud as hell and sounds like something is just banging around in the motor area!

[@suchfunstuff]

If I had to guess, I would say either the motor fan or a motor bearing failed. Remove the filter in front of the motor and have a look at the motor intake. I have seen the fans pull in obstructions, which wold cause the motor to be loud.

[@danrecine1988]

in the Sears parts list it is called the upperbody which covers the motor, can't figure out how that is removed so I can get to the motor.

[@suchfunstuff]

On that style the motor cartridge actually has to pried out of the main body from the back. Get the wires and performance indicator lamp out of the way first.

[@dougmesler6476]

I was cleaning mine when what I believe to be the tube vac switch came loose. Does the end of this tube attach anywhere? It looks like it may have been attached because the end of the tube is crimped.

[@suchfunstuff]

On the divider in the canister that the motor's fan faces, there is a small nub that the tube connects to. It operates the vacuum switch to turn on the "performance indicator" light. Its easier to see if you remove the motor and connect it.

[@dougmesler6476]

@@suchfunstuff Thank you very much! I finally got it back together (except for the retractable cord).

[@steveroll336]

Hello, I am in the process of replacing the tub that holds the bag. I have it apart but not sure of two things. ! how do you get the wheels off? There is one in the front and of course the two large ones in the rear. The other problem I am having is getting the power cord removed that goes to the front of the vacuum cleaner that powers the head. Any suggestions would really help. Thank you!

[@suchfunstuff]

The rear wheels are tough to save. How difficult that is depends on what particular model you have. They are entirely plastic and have to be pried off. Usually when I would replace the main body, new wheels were ordered along with it to be installed. The front caster, same story. Depends on the model. Usually that can be reused if you take it off properly. The wire harness is attached to a plastic part that fits into the front of the main body. There are two round shaped "catches" of this part that have to be pushed in and pried upward to lift it out of the main body. I know that's alot of words, but just look around.

[@steveroll336]

@@suchfunstuff I actually saved all the wheels and was able to get the wire harness out too! It's back together and works. I was just about ready to destroy the wheels but I took a break and came back to them! Thanks!

[@suchfunstuff]

@@steveroll336 Awesome, another one saved. I'll be fixing mine as long as I am able.

[@jasonward6821]

I have a Kenmore Progressive but the cable retractor button appears. It was a 216.22612 bought in 2002. It looks like the back screws are accessed from the bottom (though deep holes). Is that correct or do I have to take the retractor button off (which is on the top back)? When I try, it feels like I am going to break it, and yes, I am accessing from the rear, not at the hinge.

[@jasonward6821]

And by the way, thank you for posting these videos and helping others.

[@suchfunstuff]

Your model Kenmore will open up the same way as I show in the vid. Yes, you do have to take off the retractor button. Pry from the back of the canister. On occasion they do break, but usually not.

[@davidmeissner5010]

I have a Kenmore 4.8 and for the life of me cannot figure out how to remove the back or tail end cover to access the cord recoil. I think I'll break some clip if I try to pry it too much. Any ideas?

[@suchfunstuff]

Pry on it the way that's shown in the video.

[@davidmeissner5010]

I can easily pry the main cover off. It's the tail cover. I was able to pry the foreward side clips out, but not the rear side clips (if there are any).

[@magicdanz3]

My Kenmore Whispertone 12.0 has decreased suction. Hose is clear and a new bag and clean filter. an suggestions?

[@suchfunstuff]

Problems I have found often with these: 1.Hole in bottom of canister base near front caster wheel (common break area). 2.Openings in the hose, usually cracking near the ends, as the material degrades. 3.Motor going bad, running at slower than normal speed.

[@TimmieTennis]

Make sure you change the filter in front of the motor and the HIPA filter at the rear. These are often overlooked....

[@amzozzaro]

I have a Kenmore model 116.2299281 and I can't seem to find any info on how to get the motor out. This model is from the early to mid 1980s. The motor is mounted vertically, and attaches to the chassis with 4 screws but it won't pass through because there is a jacket/shroud on it that I can't figure out how to remove. I assume it has to be pried off in the right place so as not to break it, but I can't figure out how. Ever seen one of these? Can you advise on how to get this off so I can remove the motor? Thank you.

[@suchfunstuff]

Yes, I actually have a Kenmore 3.9 Heavy Duty (the final black and gray '88 or '89 model of this design). I'll make an instructional on this one in a couple days or so. Stay tuned, my friend.

[@amzozzaro]

That would be very much appreciated!

[@suchfunstuff]

Posted the instructional for the older canisters.

[@amzozzaro]

I viewed the new video, and that is exactly the model I have, right down to the color! Thank you so much for posting it. Toward the end of the video you mentioned the shroud over the motor which the one you demo'd didn't have and that is where my problem seems to be. On mine there are no screws holding the shroud on but I cannot seem to get it off. Any advise? I guess since you say it should be removed there is no harm if I break it during removal but I cannot figure out what's holding it in place.

[@amzozzaro]

So I finally figured out how to unlock the cover on the motor. Thank you for all of the videos and help!

[@charlespayret4973]

Thank you

[@Stonereraldi]

Thanks!