I have a Kirby G5 and need to replace the gear drive shaft, as the lever inside fell off and the shaft came out. (Common problem by the sound of it.) How do i remove the actual gearbox itself. I have removed the 3 screws on the bottom, but it's not coming out. What's stopping it from coming out? Do i need to remove the gearbox drive belt first? If so, how do i get to it? Thanks in advance.

HELLO, JUST USE THIS GUIDE! :0)

http://reviews.ebay.com/REPLACING-OR-REPAIRING-KIRBY-VACUUM-NEUTRAL-DRIVE-PEDAL?ugid=10000000011180003

HOPE IT HELPS! :0

I have never touched a Kirby vacuum
before and my wife had the same issue. The neutral/drive pedal just fell
out so I figured I would give it a shot to see if I could fix it and
quickly figured out the 3 screws in the bottom plate for the drive
unit wasn't the answer.



I was able to figure things out out after I found
a parts list with diagrams at the follow web site and address:


Vac Parts Warehouse.com
http://www.vacpartswarehouse.com/category-s/2821.htm


The two parts involved are:
13. Bracket Cam Assembly Neutral Drive
Pedal 557689A
16. Kirby Pedal Cam For Neutral Drive
G6 558499A


Here's how to get to a point that you
can get these two parts in/out of the machine.


- Remove bag and fill tube from handle
and main unit
- Remove floor nozzle assembly
- Remove the handle via the two screws
at the handle fork plate (these have loctite on them so needed a
socket wrench with torex bits to get them out).
- Remove the plastic rear scuff plate
vie the screw with the power cord anchor and screw by the Pedal Cam
For Neutral Drive. Note release plastic tab in slot in the center and
lift from the back and then over the base where the handle attaches.


I did not do this as I removed the the
power drive assembly so I could figure out how to put the dive
assembly back together. The pressed on arm that drives the cam
assembly had pulled of the pedal shaft so this also made it easier to
fish out the parts and experiment on positioning the arm in the right spot . I found the arm and a spring washer inside. Note – continue disassembly below if bracket cam assembly will not come out as it is easier to work with once the drive assembly is removed.



Remove the screw on the bottom plate that attaches the Bracket Cam Assembly and slide the Pedal Cam. Then the plastic back panel and the cam assembly should slide out if you lift up on it. Note that the screw is the only one with a star lock washer on it. Also note that this entire assembly is the only way that the parts are sold and it includes plastic back plate and metal cam assembly as. I when down the path to repair the existing assembly so I needed to take the power drive out The part was 16. Kirby Pedal Cam For Neutral Drive G6 558499A at Vac Parts Warehouse.com. The one listed on the website said it was for a G6 even though the parts listing is for a G5 so I don't know....


To continue to disassemble and take
the power drive assembly out:
- Remove the 4 screws from the Cover
Shell assembly - the metal top part. You do not need to remove the
hinged Headlight Cap that is attached to it.
- Remove the 4 screw from the bracket
assembly that has the handle attachment and forward/reverse switch.
It attached by two wires. I only disconnect one and swung it to the
side.
- Snap off the the on/off switch and
disconnect from the Actuating Rod Foot Pedal to Power Switch.
- Remove the 3 screw from the bottom
plate of the power drive assembly.
- Remove the drive belt.
- The power drive assembly will now
drop out the bottom.


I just put the spring washer and arm
back on the shaft and reassembled. I'll see how long that lasts
before before buying the new part. Update: this fix did not last long. Use red Loctite or super glue to attach cam to shaft so it doesn’t pull out if you want to avoid buying the new assembly. Note that the cam must be aligned so that when the neutral side is pushed the cam will stop in the detent to hold it in place. Must be reassembled in the drive position as that is the default for the drive assembly.



Have fun.