It turned out that the air-driven turbine that spins the brushes wasn’t moving. However, the price of a new turbine simply wasn’t cost effective, so I removed and opened up the turbine and found a rusted, seized bearing. Don’t let the idea of fixing the turbine scare you... it’s not difficult at all if you know how to use a Phillips screwdriver. And if it’s not working now, you aren’t going to make things worse. This link helped me take the turbine out- and it’s not as hard as you might think.
www.fixya.com
A bit of Internet searching will show you how to open the turbine, but even without a set of instructions, don’t be afraid to take out those four screws... just explore it. That thing is very simple. I was fortunate— I pulled that rusted bearing out with pliers, and went to Akron (Ohio) Bearing and showed them the old one. In 30 seconds the guy behind the counter handed me the identical bearing. Cost: $14.00. I cleaned up all the plastic gears in the turbine, regreased them with some lithium grease (petroleum jelly should work as well), and had it back together in no time. Those brushes now work perfectly.
You don’t live in Akron?? -Just look for a bearing business in a city near you.
SOLVED: Replace a turbine and gear assembly on a hoover - Fixya
replace a turbine and gear assembly on a hoover F5914-900 - Hoover Steam Vac Dual V w/ SpinScrub question
A bit of Internet searching will show you how to open the turbine, but even without a set of instructions, don’t be afraid to take out those four screws... just explore it. That thing is very simple. I was fortunate— I pulled that rusted bearing out with pliers, and went to Akron (Ohio) Bearing and showed them the old one. In 30 seconds the guy behind the counter handed me the identical bearing. Cost: $14.00. I cleaned up all the plastic gears in the turbine, regreased them with some lithium grease (petroleum jelly should work as well), and had it back together in no time. Those brushes now work perfectly.
You don’t live in Akron?? -Just look for a bearing business in a city near you.