Hoover SteamVac and Vax: Brushes Stop Spinning - $10 Fix My Hoover SteamVac Brushes are Frozen and I Can't Let it Go
The problem:
The old Hoover SteamVac gives me grief AGAIN!
My Hoover SteamVac Dual V carpet cleaner tank had serious leaks and the valves dripped onto and into the machine. As a result, the Power Scrub carpet brushes stopped spinning and froze up due to a rusted, seized bearing in the brush motor. The Vax Dual V and All Terrain also seem to share this problem.
I checked to see if a clogged inline filter had caused the brushes to stop, but the filter was sparkly clean. The brush switch was working properly, so I determined the problem was in the brush motor itself.
Fixing this usually requires a new brush motor assembly, and the expensive parts are becoming harder to find. More than that, I was simply tired of spending money on this machine.
I decided to give fixing it one more try before dragging the cleaner to the curb. It was DIY or death for the SteamVac this time!
Hmm… I wonder how I can tell which one is old, and which is new…
The solution:
I ordered a 10-pack of bearings for under $10 and replaced the bad one in the brush motor assembly. Taking it apart and putting in a new bearing is not too difficult, and it takes about a half hour.
The video below will walk you through the project step by step, and a link to the bearing I used is below.
It worked beautifully and kept the SteamVac alive to see another day. Being able to finally clean the carpets certainly eased the friction around here!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission on items bought using them. These are the same recommendations I would make regardless of any compensation. For products that I have older versions of, I recommend the items that I would replace them with if I were buying them new.
Resources for Hoover SteamVac and Vax: Brushes Stop Spinning
PGN – R4-2RS Sealed Bearing – 1/4″x5/8″x0.196″ – Lubricated – Chrome Steel (10 Pieces)
From Amazon
Make sure to use these specifications for your bearings
WD-40 Multi-Use Lubricant
From Amazon
Used as a rust penetrant, but not as a long-lasting oil
3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil
From Amazon
This is the long-lasting oil
There are more DIY projects in the works, so stay tuned to Uncharted DIY. Feel free to comment, post photos or ask questions about this project.
Shantavia Rorie
02/22/2021 @ 10:07 am
Thanks for the video. You are so good with the details. I think that is very helpful. I have a Hoover Max Extract 77. My brushes stopped turning. Well, they do turn but only very slowly. The first thing I did was made sure the brushes do turn independent of the motor. I then made sure that little hole that turns the brush unit spins and is well lubed. Next, I opened the turbine compartment and made sure the bearings weren’t rusted and that the gears turn freely. One of my gears was damaged. Looks like it melted a bit. I looked everywhere and couldn’t find just the gear being sold separately. So I just bought a new turbine assembly. Hooked everything up and turned on the machine. At first the brushes were turning slowly just like before. Then I heard some kind of suctioning sound and the brushes began turning much faster. They still aren’t turning as fast as they should be turning though. Also when I put pressure on the brushes (just like when you put your hand on the brushes in the video) they would stop spinning. Which means they aren’t turning strongly enough to actually agitate the carpet during cleaning. So now I am lost. I’m not sure what the problem is. I was wondering about how the turbine is powered. Maybe it isn’t getting enough air pressure to move these gears which in turn controls how fast and powerfully those little brushes are spinning?
Uncharted Steve
02/22/2021 @ 12:49 pm
Thanks for the question, Shantavia. I am not a vacuum expert, but I now understand how mine works and I’m sure yours is similar. Since you have a different model, things may be configured a bit differently than mine but I can point you in directions to look for the problem. You are correct: The turbine motor is driven by air, so it may be that something is reducing the vacuum air flow, or something might be dragging the moving parts.
First, I’d check the brushes themselves. I noticed on mine that there was dog hair wound around the bases of the brushes themselves, and that could slow it all down. Make sure the brushes turn easily when you turn any one of them by hand. They are geared together, so if anything slows one brush down, they all will be slowed.
Next, I’d check the screen that inserts in front of the turbine motor intake. I had some dog hair bunched up behind that screen and that slowed the air flow. Follow the ducts that connect to the intake and see if anything is clogging them.
Another area I’d check is the hose port. If that port cover is not sealing well, the air pressure through the whole system will be reduced. Check to make sure it seals and is not cracked.
Finally, lube every moving part, but use something that will withstand moisture better than WD40 or light oil. I used white lithium grease in a spray can, and was generous with it. Just wipe off any excess so it doesn’t end up on your carpet.
I hope these tips help, and I’d love to know what you discover is causing the slow down.
Thanks for reading Uncharted DIY!
Steve
Scott Casey
04/15/2024 @ 4:40 pm
You sir are a genius! Thanks!
Uncharted Steve
04/15/2024 @ 5:50 pm
Thanks. I’m glad it helped!
Jozef Fafaľák
08/05/2022 @ 11:30 am
Hi Steve, thanks very much for your video
https://youtu.be/EpVla1-wb4U
I dismantle hoover vax all terrain cleaner, bearings were OK, but inside of turbine is part, rounded, and it is broken . See attached pictures. On the other side of wheel are scratches on the body. See picture too . Do you know, where i can buy it this new part?
Thanks JOZEF FAFALAK
Slovakia.
P.S i bought hoover in UK. 8 years ago.
Uncharted Steve
08/05/2022 @ 9:13 pm
Hi Jozef,
That looks bad. Unfortunately, I don’t think Hoover ever sold replacement parts for inside the turbine motor, only the whole turbine assembly itself. I believe the part you need is called the “turbine and gear assembly” but you’ll need to make sure you get the correct one for your model number. As far as where to get it, the sources I know of are in the US so shipping would be very expensive. Try searching Google for your model number and “turbine and gear assembly” to see if you can find one closer to you.
In the comments on the YouTube video, several people have glued the impeller that cracked like yours and it has been successful. It would probably be worth trying to glue it before buying a new part. I would recommend two-part epoxy to glue it with since that should hold together well.
I hope that helps, and happy hoovering!