This was the most complicated brush cleaning I've ever done! Those hidden wheel screws are what got me. Should be a simple thing to be able to get to the belt and brush-especially for someone with long hair...
@Whoopity Scoot Note that some of the Navigators use torx security bits, not phillips. Mine does not use phillips and I also thought the screws were stripped until I looked closer with a flashlight. Not sure why servicing your vacuum cleaner requires obscure fasteners unless Shark is intentionally trying to dissuade people from fixing their own stuff... which is what I suspect is their motivation.
After an hour I was ready to just break it apart and duct tape it back together, sort of wish I had because I would've had an excuse to trash this garbage vac and buy a non-Shark brand that makes something as simple as cleaning the beater brush and replacing a belt so freaking difficult, hiding screws is just stupid, plus the owner's manual doesn't even show how this is done, tells the owner to use scissors to cut away hair and strings.
For those with newer models, they seem to have switch to t5 security screws. Didn't think I'd have to bust out my electronics but set to service a freaking vacuum. Thanks for the video! Those two hidden screws under the wheels got me.
Found one near the dumpster (not in the dumpster...) and brought it home for a quick cleaning for resale. The wheel screws eluded me. Thanks for this video. I watched one video where the guy pretty much said that nothing will take off the bottom, so the solution to repair was, "You don't." Refusing to believe any company would enforce obsolescence on that ridiculous a scale, I consulted this video next and there was my answer! Electronics set for vacuum? Of course. There's a circuit board inside of modern ones, you know.
I had that same problem 2 screws under the very small roller wheels. I have a big problem now though. Dang roller ball won't kick on to turn. The belt is on and when I put it to that setting it just sucks.
Happy to see this video. My wife called me out to see if I could help open it. I am baffled as to this design choice on an otherwise well thought out and easy to use vacuum.
THANK YOU!!! You saved me a bunch of money and time. Fixed it in 1/2 hour - vacuum as good as new now. What a relief! (I think the manufacturers make it purposely complicated to disassemble so that you buy a new one or pay $ to get it fixed. Glad there are handy folks around to get around that!)
Mine requires a T20 to remove the star screws and I had never tried removing them until last night. What a fail, two of the screws seems to be stripped now and I cannot get one last screw out that is deep in there and when I went to just put them all back...now about two more are stripped and there's no tightening them. SO ANNOYED!
Kristin Rivera I ordered what he had on his link and it worked!! This was the only vacuum I’ve ever owned that I couldn’t just pop everything to clean it - annoying - but now it’s like new 👍🏼 (tonsiki 11-pc)
Thank you thank you !!! I was ready to throw the vacuum out and then you came along and saved the day 😊😊😊😊 best part is it still worked after I was done and put it all back together, lol not bad for a 62 year old lady 🤣 TYFS
Thanks for the video. I found that my version had Torx Security bit type screws on it instead of Philips head screws. For me, the reason my agitator stopped was because the switch for the brush to engage had become so dusty and dirty, it wasn't properly resetting and clicking. I shoved some paper towel in there to clean it out, reset the switch and cleaned it up in general and its working great again. This vacuum has been through hell and back in my family so I've really liked it.
I must have a newer model because it appears mine has T10 and T15 security screws, including that one T15 (by the looks of it) that’s buried so deep in a narrow hole you can’t use a bit (the driver will be too wide), you actually need a standalone screwdriver. I’m going to go buy the tools because I refuse to put a vacuum in a landfill when all it needs is a new belt or a motor replaced. Thanks for contributing to unnecessary waste, Shark. Next time I buy a vacuum my first priority will be easy serviceability.
I just bought www.amazon.com/dp/B086K2DDS8/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_W0B2F3QZ42Y6H7D7KTZ4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1. Didn’t realize there were 5-point and 6-point security screw hole shapes. The ones on my Shark Navigator are 6-point.
Thanks so much, I was ready to get a new vacuum because I couldn't figure how to get it open, which I'm sure that's the maker's idea. But your video really helped me to be able to clean and inspect the inside. Very much appreciated!
OMG! Thank you SO MUCH for this video. I too had no idea there were screws under the wheels. My beater bar was clogged with dog hair, and the motor was as well. Once it was cleaned out, and put back together, it works great! HOORAY!
Thank you! Without this video, I never would have thought to take off the little wheels & would have cracked something due to missing the screws underneath 😂
Thank you thank you! This was so helpful when my husband was trying to get it off to clean. Finding out about the screws under the little wheels was a real time-saver!
Thanks so much! I had no idea that the screws under the front wheels were there. Got my brushroll and motor cleaned out of my wifes hair and now it runs great!
I decided I was going to do some cleaning in the vacuum. Watched this video and it helped out a lot. I don't think I haven't done a deep maintenance since I bought it. Getting all the dirt and dust out now and then going to put it back together.
Thank you for posting this video. I appreciate your efforts and willingness to provide information transfer to newbies. The roller wasn't moving and I wanted to do my own troubleshooting. Unfortunately, there are additional screws on a new Shark model that I could find no reference on. In addition to the screws under the wheels in the NV560 liftaway, there is one screw behind the vacuum tube hose that extends into the base. I couldn't figure out why the housing was not coming off until I broke it off and found the screw behind the vacuum tube. Fixing them is just too challenging. Other folks mentioned a weak motor for the roller and I saw the belt was fine. I also bought the tools needed to remove the security screws.
Just wanted to say.. someone said you needed a T20.. so I went and bought one but I actually needed a t15... Make sure you buy a single screw driver head because for one of the screws you will need length! I discovered this the hard way and now I have to go back to the store and spend a couple more dollars. Damn it!
Thanks Bud. I was looking at to why I couldn’t get it open and it was the screws behind the tiny wheels. Would’ve broken it open had I not looked it up!
@Riley Miller Time to go to the hardware store and get some security bits. I'm seeing all sorts of numbers here T10, T15, T20. Looks like it is going to be a wild ride.
Great video and very helpful, I do suggest shark buyers tell Shark to simplify their engineering A LOT! It strikes me they are making it hard and frustrating so you'll just buy a new one., Other makes even have to sliding clips you push and in two seconds you're there. Especially that sneaky hiding screws under the roller wheels.,,ridiculous,
Yeah there is no doubt that they prefer people to buy new ones. That being said these Navigators / Rotators are a breeze to work on compared to the newer models.
Maybe mine is a newer model but beware - these are now torx heads - 6 sided star. I even went to Harbor Freight to pick up some torx screw drivers. Here's the really tricky thing - they are not even all the same size. Most of the main ones are T10 but the ones in the back are smaller. My screwdriver set didn't go smaller. Turns out I had a small set of slotted screwdrivers that worked. The 3 mm worked in the t10 screws and the 2.6 (or 2.4) mm worked in the smaller ones. One final trick - make sure the screws under the little wheels are screwed in all the way (recessed into the plastic) or the wheels won't go on or they will go on and not turn as they are in contact with the screw heads.
Thank you so much!!! This really helped a lot!!! My brush wasn't working and what I eventually found was the micro-switch that cuts power to the circuit board was dirty/stuck in the open position. I was able to clean the internals and got it working again. Woo-hoo!
Why do they make this stuff soooooo complicated?! I never would’ve found the ones under those wheels! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for this!!!!!
I ended up finding a Torx set with the security hole to get the obvious screws out but ended up using a screwdriver style hex head for the deeper screws. I was just about to break the cover off when I said I better see if someone has posted a video on how to get to the beater brush and belt. Not sure I ever would have thought to lift those wheels out had I not watched your video. THANKS!
I ended up NOT buying the Tork screwdrivers, and just using teeny hospital scissors to cut all of the hair out of the brush. Took a few minutes, but worked great. I looked at the instructions that came with the vaccum, and that's what it said to do, not to dismantle!! Glad I didn't have to take it apart. I do have to say that my old Dyson Animal (not the ball one) was sooo much easier to dismantle. Literally a nickel to turn 3 little spots, and you have the brush cover off. Doesn't make any sense why Shark couldn't figure out a consumer-friendly QUICK and EASY way to get to the brush!
Thank you soooo much for this video. I couldn’t have fixed my vacuum without it. My vacuum had hair wrapped around the roller, and I couldn’t see it or access it without taking off the cover.
Oh thank you! Too hard today! Just as bad as Hoover Air was if not worse. This is why I loved my clunky Kirby! I will continue with scissors, grapefruit knife and box cutter for now! Lol!
I used a bottle brush and a drain brush to clean the hoses. The drain brush has a long shaft that goes to the end of the hose. I purchased it from Walmart in the plumbing department.
Thank you for the video, thanks to you I fixed mine. I ended taking off the little metal silver piece that presses on the small button and problem solved
awesome thank you. i found one outside by my trash compactor by my apartment complex. i missed 4 screws and i was like wtf. i watched your video perfect thanks!
Thank you. Just got off with customer service and they said they don't cover this under warranty and I'd need to buy a whole new bottom head part for $75+shipping and handling 😑😑 what's a warranty even for.... "It's for the motor thats it"
FOR SOME MODELS - THE BRUSH WILL NOT OPERATE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. Shark navigator 350-353 series - if you have cleaned the roller and it doesn't work, TILT THE HANDLE BACK then try.
EVERY single "screw" was already partly stripped before I even attempted this! HUGE factory fail.. over tightening "screws". I finally got them all out but ONE! lower left small wheel. It just will NOT come out (because it was already stripped). I just need to change the bloody belt... Machine not even 12 months old and started smelling the burning rubber stink. Ironically, my manual and ads online state this model has a "lifetime" belt that should never go south! HELP! Pretty sure what I'm looking at our stripped security star screws. AND I was using special drill bits to remove... still NO JOY!
Thank you for your comment,I don’t feel so bad now that there was someone else who was experiencing the same problem.The smaller screws are all striped.Something was lodged in my rollers and I can’t open it because of the screws . If u have any suggestions,I would appreciate them. Thank you
Thanks for the instructional video. This Shark is a good vacuum, but is not consumer friendly. Also, it does take a "star" screw driver tip mid size, though a narrow head regular screw driver will work in a pinch. p.s. hardest vac I have had to replace the belt on ...yes, not designed well.
Ok.... I was going to remove the brush roll to clean it, but after seeing this, I think not. I'll just continue to cut the hair out (it's mine anyway) like I've been doing. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this video! Had to replace my brush roll when the bristles wore down to stumps. I just couldn't figure it out and they don't show you this in the manual!
I’m going to be replacing the brush on my shark navigator vacuum. Question to those that already have done this. Is a Phillips and flats screwdriver enough to get this done? Thank you
P Yes thank you very much for the two-wheeled I wouldn't ever found them either but unfortunately the person that gave me the sweeper didn't inform me that the screw thingies that you would turn with like a coin are broken off. Am I still going to have to get them turned some how or will it just come apart removing the rest of the screws? Wow this is redundant isn't it I guess I could just try it and see.
The "coin" screws must be turned. The rigid "flap" they hold down has to be lifted, revealing YET ANOTHER T25 screw near the end of the internal hose. When that's out, the bottom & upper can be separated. Then there are 2 short #2 Phillips screws holding a rigid plastic cover over the brush roll. Once off, the brush roll can be replaced as shown in the video.
That white plastic piece behind the spring is bent on my navigate to UV 410. But I noticed it’s not bent on yours. But I think you have the navigator 22L. Is there any difference between the two?
I removed all the torx security screws as instructed in the video, but still can't get the cover off. It won't budge at all and I've been at this for 3 1/2 hours already. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks,,, very useful video.. the hidden screws ,,, the reason I took apart was the roller was not operating, I noticed the belt is ok...oops it could be a bad motor... I noticed the motor is operating on self propelled mode.. bottom line.. the switch at the top has problem … so I used the it on self propelled mode..
What is the type of screw drivers you used as on my shark I cannot tell what the screws are...they just look like small round on the head of the screw. I tried phillips, and square and neither loosen the screws.
I have the Navigator Shark Swivel. Is this the same vaccum? The bottom is on so tight I would swear it was glued. I count 6 screws including the wheels. Any help,please?!
The wheels on the NV42 dont come off. There is no set screw to take it off. I contacted Shark and they stated that the wheels don't come off. Is there a work around that someone has found out without destroying the plastic?
