I am having a hard time taking apart the base that contains the belt.

If the motor sounds like it is turning, but the brush doesn't spin, then the belt is likely damaged. Check on line to find the part and replacement instructions.

The belt and clutch are probably worn or broken. Instead of a normal brush roller belt like most vacuums have, Dyson designed these with a plastic clutch between the motor and brush roller, so you can turn the brush off for hard surfaces. The belt from the motor to the clutch is replaceable, but it is the belt least likely to wear out or break. The belt to the brush roller, which is the one that takes all the beating and encounters all the dirt and grit is plastic welded into the clutch and cannot be replaced. You have to replace the entire clutch when that belt goes. On a normal vacuum, this is a $3.00 to $5.00 repair. On a Dyson, the part is around $25.00 retail, and you have to tear half the vacuum apart to get to it. You don't need much in the way of tools to repair it, as most of the vacuum simply snaps together, although you have to take care that you don't break the plastic parts getting them apart. You do need a torx screwdriver to remove the clutch housing. I've done two of these in the last week, both with the same issue.

if you'ev just bought it take it back under warranty
http://www.eureka.com/FileLibrary/7f8e42f94c4146dea58673f01e6464a7/en_80509_OwnersManual.pdfhttp://www.eureka.com/FileLibrary/7f8e42f94c4146dea58673f01e6464a7/en_80509_OwnersManual.pdf

Hi schrim8...
Your problem is most likely a broken drive belt.
You will have to remove the vacuum base cover, then remove the roller assembly from the vacumm base to replace the belt.
After you remove the roller assembly put the new belt on the pulley inside the vacuum first, then install the belt on the roller assembly and then reinsert the roller assembly back into the vacuum base.
Reinstall the vacuum base cover.
Please take time to rate me

I have same problem, somehow take top all apart, looks like allen screws holding bag container on, remove that, get to screws right underneath top shell, then get to motor pulley from above . be careful not to pull off motor pulley when wrapping other end of belt around brush underneath, or else you'd have to take top all apart again. Good luck.

I just repaired my Bissell 8960 no spray from the base or the flex hose nozzel. Tried to find a diagram or service manual online but no luck. I removed the 2 jets that spray on the brushes and
there was small pieces of silt that would plug them up. only used this unit twice before but it's been
sitting in the basement for a year. anyways ending up takeing the unit all apart. All of the items you
need to get to are in the base not in the handle sections (except of course the spray switch) I put the whole thing on my large work bench to make it easier to work on. If you do take it apart make sure to take alot of pictures or you may not get it back together again. I labeled the hoses with different colored tape and was glad I did.The main problem was the 700 watt heater that is in the very bottom of the base. it was filled with white specs of silt. the heater can be removed and opened up so you can wash it out with a water and a brush. We have city water here thats supposed to be pretty good but know I know why the wife uses distilled water in her iron. Thats what I will be useing from now on in the Bissell..

The beater belt is broken. There are 4 phillips head screws on the outside (2 on top of the base on either side of the upright, and 2 on the front edge on the underside of the base near front edge). and 4 phillips head screws on the inside (holding the guard cover over the beater bar). The belt is about $3 (part number 38528040). Take out the beater bar and put the new belt around it. Then put the other end around the metal bar and stretch the belt taut as you position the beater bar back into its channel slots. Replace the guard and top cover and you should be good to go...

The roller is not spinning do to motor or belt not working. If it is the motor then the machine will have to go back to dyson if it is the belt then that is an easy replacement.

If it's an Electrolux power head there will be a 5th screw same length in the base.2 at front corners, 1 front center, 2 mid way back all recessed.
Good for asking , do not pry it should pull apart in you hands starting at the front corners

If you lay it down and look under the base- by the brush roll- there are three screws you have to remove w/ a philips head screwdriver to get the base plate off. From there you can take out the brush roll, etc.