I purchased a new handle release foot pedal and am trying to remove the old and install the new. I can't seem to get the metal piece and spring apart from the old foot pedal. I've removed the (2) snap rings but am still struggling. Is their a repair manual online somewhere? thank you.

If you remove three screws you can remove the assembly with the foot pedal. Look at how it is installed closely in the assembly, including the spring, shaft and pedal. Disassemble it and install a new foot pedal exactly the same way you took it apart.

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It's not hard to do but is almost impossible to explain how to do it. If you can look at one already installed on the shaft holding the pedal you can see how it's done. Visit your local Riccar dealer.

Order Slider Release (7.93, vacpartswarehouse) Pull off 'tank.' Remove 3 Screws for Foot Detent Lever. Pull off. Remove old slider release and spring (verify it's broke.) Replace with new. I just did this today after a year of dealing with it.

Hello,

This a fairly frequent repair on the Eureka Smart Vac model 4870, so I decided to go ahead and take a few pictures of the handle release pedal repair, and walk you through this step by step. The model that I did the repair on is a slightly newer model, but other then maybe the color of the vacuum, or the color of the foot release pedal, the repair is identical. $40 is an awful lot of money to do this repair, after it's all done with you'll be very happy that you choose to post this repair on Fixya, rather then paying $40 for someone else to fix it.

What you'll need to complete this repair. The links contained in the parts are links to the parts on our website, GoVacuum if you don't already have the new pedal.

- Eureka Smart Vac Model 4870 Handle Release Pedal (colors may vary, but will fit ALL 4870 models) Eureka Part 70042-355N
- Eureka Smart Vac Model 4870 Handle Release Spring (Only needed if missing underneath of old pedal)
- Large Flat Head Screwdriver
- A small amount of elbow grease. :-)

Step 1. Remove the old handle release pedal from the base of the Eureka Smart Vac if it hasn't already fallen out of the base of the vacuum. Here's what the pedal looks like installed in the base:



The easiest way to remove the old pedal if it's still inside of the base of the machine, is to take a larger sized flat head screw driver, and put it up underneath of the pedal. With the screwdriver underneath of the pedal, pry upwards on the pedal until it pops off. This can take some pressure to get it out, don't put too much pressure on this part or it will crack the bottom housing. If the pedal won't come out from the bottom, you may also try putting the screwdriver in between the top housing (different colored plastic part in front of the pedal) and the pedal and try prying here. I find it the easiest to do when I put the screw driver underneath and pry upwards like this:



Step 2. Once you've removed the pedal from the base of the vacuum cleaner, make sure that the spring is still inside the base. The spring is a metal torsion part that pushes upwards on the pedal to keep it from always falling out of the vacuum cleaner. I have highlighted the spring in this picture in red:



Step 3. If the spring is still installed, you're now ok to put the new pedal on. You'll see on one side of the pedal that the notch that locks the machine in the upright position, as well as on the bottom part of the pedal that part of the pedal that connects into the lowest part of the base that has two little circular notches that protrude out. This part of the pedal goes on the side closest to the vacuum cleaner's upright body. There's really one way the pedal will go into the vacuum. Put the pedal over top of the metal spring, and push down on the pedal as far as it will go. I find that a few GENTLE hits with a hammer on the top of the pedal will gently slide the pedal into the correct part of the lower base:



Step 5. Test the pedal by stepping on it to make sure that the handle release when you're stepping on the pedal. Also make sure the vacuum will lay flat on the floor when you step on the pedal a second time. Now raise the handle into the upright position and make sure that the machine locks itself in the upright position. If yes, then you're all set! If it's not locking, then there may be a more serious problem of the lower base part being cracked, which will not allow the pedal to sit properly. If this is the case, please just reply to this repair, or start a new repair with that problem, and I'll be happy to show you how to fix this. If this repair was helpful to you, (it seems that it saved you $40!) please be so kind and rate my repair helpful by clicking on the 4 thumbs up icons in the top corner of the repair. I really do appreciate that. We do carry most every part for your vacuum on our website, please feel free to check out our site, Govacuum.com for all of your Eureka vacuuming needs!

Thank you,

Chris J.
GoVacuum

I had same problem - the foot release pedal would not spring into place when unit was upright (but would work if you nudged in place with your foot). I installed a replacement part, and it didn't fix the problem. I cut out a small sqare of sponge and jammed it behind the flat end of the bent plastic spring on the release pedal, and it now springs back as it shoud. Hope this helps.

Remove the pieces of the old spring and take it to any OSH store, they have an assortment that will likely have one that will work.

I just fixed this on my Bissell PowerForce model #6594 vacuum myself. Woo Hoo for me. :-)

I called the local vacuum repair guy and he told me he'd repair it for me if I insisted but that since my machine only cost about $80 (a lot of money for me) it would not be worth the $40-$50 repair. I should just buy a new vacuum (from him I assume).

My machine works great so I sat down on the floor and after removing 5 screws and a little tinkering I got my machine apart. I had to take the brush and belt area off and then the upright part came off the base. Make sure you unplug your unit before working on it.

Next I could see where the Handle Release Pedal (HRP) on the bottom of the unit had been cracked. It's a molded piece that has a slight curve in it that allows it to spring back into position to hold the vacuum in the upright position or to keep the vacuum from going totally flat.

How it was installed I don't think they meant for it to be easily replaced but after using a screw driver on one side and a letter opener on the skinnier side I pried the molded houseing out from around the HRP just enough to let the it release. I did need a third hand for that part.

You will have to take the top loose so you can put the handle release in its place. It probably isn't in the right place, either that or a piece of it broke off and it needs to be replaced.

There are 2 tabs that stick out on the release, they fit in slots, so from the top look down and you can see them, using a flatblade screwdriver that will fit in there, push the side in to release it, which isn't easy, but it can be done. When you get the old one out, then the new one, push down on it until it locks into place.