Helpful Colin

"Investigation and Reason Give Understanding"

Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head

Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head Maintenance

Introduction

This article advises how to perform Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head Maintenance. This can involve removing the Brushbars to remove items that have got wrapped around them and removing the Soleplate for access  so dirt can be cleaned out. In extreme cases the Motor Housing can be opened so that dirt can be sucked out of it too.

Diagrammatic Breakdown of a Dyson Slim DC18

Here is a very clear diagrammatic breakdown of: The parts of a DC18. I have named parts in my description to conform with it.

This site, Parts Warehouse, may also be a place where readers in the USA find it convenient to buy replacement parts.

Clarification of Dyson/Parts Warehouse Parts Names

In The parts of a DC18 there are items listed whose names are, in my opinion, not correct. So I have listed below what those part names really refer to:

  • Pre Filter – refers to – Pre Motor Filter,
  • Pre Filter Assy (Assembly) – refers to – Pre Motor Filter Assy (Assembly).
  • Post Filter – refers to – Post Motor Filter,
  • Post Filter Assy (Assembly) – refers to – Post Motor Filter Assy (Assembly),
  • HEPA Post Filter Assy (Assembly) – refers to – HEPA Post Motor Filter Assy (Assembly),
  • Post Filter Cage Assy (Assembly) – refers to – Post Motor Filter Cage Assy (Assembly),
  • Post Filter Cover – refers to – Post Motor Filter Cover.

I will continue to refer to the items above by the Dyson/Parts Warehouse names to avoid confusion.

The Cleaner Head Assembly

The Cleaner Head Assembly is the first diagram in the Breakdown of Parts. It has 27 separate parts, many of which can be seen in the pictures shown here.

Cleaner Head Issues

The Cleaner Head, with its rotating Brushbar, is a very hard working part of the DC18. All the dirt picked up from carpets and floors has to pass through it and some items can get entangled with the rotating Brushbar.

Pic. 1. Cleaner Head Motor Safety Cut-out Reset Button
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 1. Cleaner Head Motor Safety Cut-out Reset Button

If anything is picked up that jams the Brushbar there will be an excessive load on the motor which will operate the safety cut-out. After the jammed Brushbar has been fixed the Safety Cut-out Reset Button should be pressed to reset the cut-out. The Safety Cut-out Reset button is on the top of the motor housing with a RESET label pointing to it.

Some items that get picked up can damage the Cleaner Head. Examples of problematic items are:

  • long hairs;
  • sewing cotton;
  • string;
  • shoelaces;
  • ribbons;
  • jewellery chains.
Pic. 2. A Damaged Brushbar (Soleplate Removed)
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 2. A Damaged Brushbar (Soleplate Removed)

“I recently found part of a shoelace wrapped around the end of the Brushbar a few days after my wife had found one of her trainers with a shortened lace. Before I found it she had complained to me that the DC18 was not working as it should.

The hardened end of the lace had jammed in the Cleaner Head and stopped rotating with the Brushbar. The lace was still wrapped around it and the friction caused had melted the Brushbar tube and put a very nice 4mm groove in it. This nearly severed the tube into two parts.” ― HC

Fortunately the Drive Belt (presumed to be toothed) connecting the motor to the layshaft is well protected by a black plastic cover. This also encases the Layshaft. The cover is firmly bolted to the Motor forming part of the Brushbar Motor Assembly. Cleaners that have exposed un-toothed drive belts often go faulty when ingested dirt wedges between the drive belt and the brushbar at the point where the belt wraps around the brushbar. If those brushbars jam the motor continues to rotate melting the drive belt with the pulley’s friction.

Diagrammatic Breakdown of a Dyson Slim DC18

Here is a very clear diagrammatic breakdown of the parts of a DC18. I have named parts in my description to conform with it.

Removing and Re-attaching A Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head

1. How The Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head Is Attached To The DC18 Body

The Cleaner Head plugs into a socket on the Swivel of the Yoke Assembly. The socket has two parts:

  1. for the airway in the centre of the Swivel;
  2. for the electrical connection to the Brushbar Motor Assembly.

The Cleaner Head Sockets can be seen in the picture below:

Pic. 3. Yoke Showing Cleaner Head Sockets
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 3. Yoke Showing Cleaner Head Sockets

The sockets are mounted on a Swivel. The Swivel allows the body of the DC18 to lean sideways while the Cleaner Head remains flat on the floor.

NOTE: It isn’t necessary to remove the Cleaner Head in order to remove the Brushbar and clean it, but it makes the job easier because the Cleaner Head is more manageable on its own.

Below is a picture of the rear of the Cleaner Head after it has been detached from the Yoke showing the electrical plug wired to the motor and the motor cut-out reset button:

Pic. 4. Cleaner Head Rear View
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 4. Cleaner Head Rear View

2. Removing The Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head From The Yoke Swivel

The Cleaner Head is locked onto the Swivel by two Swivel Catches. The Cleaner Head is removed from the Swivel on the Yoke by gripping the Brushbar Motor Cover Assembly upper part (socket shroud) and pulling it away from the Yoke while  simultaneously squeezing the two Swivel Catches at the side by their indentations. If done in the upright position the DC18 body must be supported with the other hand or by another person to stop it falling over. Not the easiest of tasks for anyone with small or weak hands.

NOTE: For the DC18 to remain freestanding the Cleaner Head must be attached. So after the Cleaner Head is removed it can be leant into a corner with the wheels chocked or laid down on the floor.

Pic. 5. The Swivel Catches holding the Cleaner Head in place
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 5. The Swivel Catches holding the Cleaner Head in place.
Pic. 6. Pulling off the Cleaner Head
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 6. Squeezing The Swivel Catches to release the Cleaner Head & gripping it to pull it off.

Laying the cleaner on the floor with the wheels down and the Cleaner Head uppermost is the best way for one person to remove the Cleaner Head. The picture below shows it in this position and highlights one of the two Swivel Catches in the engaged (locked) position, i.e. engaged with the Swivel’s flange.

Pic. 7. DC18 lying down for ease of Cleaner Head removal
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 7. DC18 lying down for ease of Cleaner Head removal.

The next picture shows just how much the Swivel Catches can be withdrawn from the Cleaner Head’s shroud when the indented ends are depressed. They pivot in the middle and come out by a ¼ inch to disengage the Swivel’s flange and unlock the Cleaner Head from the Swivel.  They are normally held in the engaged (locked) position by unseen springs.

Pic. 8. How A Swivel Catch is pressed in against its spring
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 8. A Swivel Catch pressed in against its spring to move it into the released position.

If the Swivel Catches won’t move when pressing the indentations try pushing the Cleaner Head further onto the Swivel. That action should relieve the pressure where the catches engage the flange and consequently reduce the friction between them allowing them to move easily.

In the next picture the electric socket is shown together with the retaining flange, built onto the Swivel, behind which the Swivel Catch tips rest. It is this engagement which prevents the Cleaner Head from coming off the Swivel.

Pic. 9. The Swivel with the Cleaner Head removed
The Swivel with the Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head removed.
Pic. 9. The Swivel with the Cleaner Head removed.

Without the locking effect of the Swivel Catches the Cleaner Head would only be held onto the swivel by the friction of the plastic parts and the pins of the electric plug used to connect power to the rotating brush motor. Once unlocked the Cleaner Head can be pulled upwards and off the Swivel.

3. Using The Flexible Wand With The Cleaner Head Removed

With the DC18 leaning into a corner, and with the wheels chocked, it can be used with the Flexible Wand, and attachable tools, while the Cleaner Head is disconnected. The undercarriage must be set in the position it would be in if the DC18 was in a freestanding upright position. This is to set the air valve so that air will be drawn through the Flexible Wand.

“Preparing the DC18 in this way enables the Flexible Wand to be used to vacuum the dirt from the Cleaner Head parts as they are dismantled.“ ― HC

CAUTION: The exhaust airway from the HEPA Filter must not be obstructed. The exhaust can be hot from the heat generated in the main electric motor so take care of what it blows onto.

4. Lubrication Of Plastic Parts

Generally plastic parts don’t need lubrication because they are considered to be self lubricating. That means:

  • initially they are smooth and without much friction;
  • after some wear small amounts of plastic dust act like minute ball bearings and roll between the parts.

However small particles of grit can get embedded in a plastic surface and have a very abrasive nature. They wear the parts more and add friction which prevents easy movement. It may therefore be appropriate in some cases to add an inert lubricant in the form of petroleum jelly, silicon grease or wax polish. Mineral oils can soften plastics so they are not advised. Very little is required and after application any surplus should be wiped off. Unfortunately grease can help to prevent binding initially, but can collect more dirt over time. So once greased those parts need cleaning and re-greasing as time passes.

I am suggesting, here, that a little lubricant might help the Swivel Catches to be pressed in if it is applied to the back of the flange. Avoid getting grease on electrical plug and socket pins. It can be an insulator.

5. Re-attaching The Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head

Re-attaching the Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head involves aligning the Brushbar Airway Connector on the Cleaner Head with the Brushbar Airway Socket on the Yoke and just pushing it onto the Swivel. The Swivel Catches don’t have to be touched. They will move into the disengaged position without assistance and then click home into the engaged (locked) position when the Cleaner Head is pushed on far enough.

NOTE: When re-attaching the Cleaner Head it is important to ensure correct engagement of the spring loaded Gimbal Lock Pin with a notch in the Cleaner Head shroud covering the Swivel. (see the diagram above). This catch is used to keep the DC18 in the upright position when freestanding. Without it the DC18 can flop over sideways. In use it moves out of the way when the DC18 is tilted over sideways.

Disassembling A Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head

Whether the Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head is removed or not it can be taken apart in four stages by:

  1. Detaching both End Cap Assemblies to access the Brushbars by the user;
  2. Disengaging both Brushbars from the Motor Assembly Layshaft by the user;
  3. Removing the Soleplate Assembly for better access by a technician;
  4. Removing the Motor Housing Cover and cleaning inside the housing by a qualified electrician.

Below are the four stages in detail:

1. Detaching Both End Cap Assemblies To Access The Brushbars.

NOTE: This process is designed to be done by the user of the DC18.

Pic. 10. Locking and Unlocking The Turnbuckles
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head. LEFT: How to unlock the turnbuckles. RIGHT: How to lock the turnbuckles.
Pic. 10. LEFT: How to unlock the turnbuckles. RIGHT: How to lock the turnbuckles.

The End Cap Assemblies provide the outer bearings for the Brushbars. Each has a Turnbuckle locking it in place which takes the form of a large slotted screw head designed for turning with a large coin. In the UK a 50 pence coin is most suitable. See images left & right.

NOTE: Most screwdrivers would damage the plastic and mangle the slot because they are not likely to be as large and as good a fit as a coin.

The Turnbuckles have a shaft with a T-bar on the end. The screw head must be turned anticlockwise helpfulcolin.com through 90º so that the T-bar can align with a slot in the transparent plastic of the Brush Housing. When so aligned the turnbuckle end of the End-caps can be rotated up and forward between 45º and 90º until the End-caps are disengaged from the Cleaner Head’s retaining flanges. The End Cap Assemblies can then be pulled off along the axis of the Brushbar. See images below.

Pic. 11. Rotating an End Cap Assembly and pulling it off
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head. Rotating an End Cap Assembly and pulling it off.
Pic. 11. Rotating an End Cap Assembly and pulling it off

2. Disengaging Both Brushbars From The Motor Assembly Layshaft.

NOTE: This process is designed to be done by the user of the DC18.

The motor drives the Brushbars via a drive belt which transfers power from the motor to a Layshaft contained in a black plastic housing mounted off-centre inside the transparent Brush Housing. The Layshaft has flats ground on it to engage the inner ends of the Brushbars and so communicate the torque. The inner ends of the Brushbars also get their bearing from the Layshaft. The bearings for the outer ends are built onto the End-caps. With the End-caps removed take hold of the outer ends of the brush bars and pull them out or tilt the Cleaner Head to tip them out.

Below is the Cleaner Head with the Soleplate removed and the Brushbars and Layshaft  Housing fully exposed.

Pic. 12. The Cleaner Head Underside (Soleplate Removed)
Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head Underside With The Soleplate Removed
Pic. 12. The Cleaner Head Underside With The Soleplate Removed

See the Layshaft  and Brushbars separated below.

Pic. 13. The Layshaft Which Engages With The Brushbars
The Layshaft which engages with one end of each brushbar.
Pic. 13. The Layshaft which engages with one end of each brushbar.
Pic. 14. Long and Short Brushbars showing each type of end
Long and Short Brushbars showing each type of end.
Pic. 14. Long and Short Brushbars showing each type of end.

Once out the Brushbars can be cleaned with a flexible wand tool to remove any dust. Anything wrapped around the Brushbar should either be unwound, or in the case of hairs, cut off with scissors or a knife.

SAFETY NOTE: If threading a knife under the hairs cut them by pushing the knife away from your body NOT up towards your face.

3. Removing The Soleplate Assembly To Access The Brush Housing.

NOTE: This process is designed to be done by a technician.

NOTE: There is potential for damaging the Clip on the Soleplate with this process.

Althought the Brushbars can be removed without first removing the Soleplate, removing the latter first gives better access to the Brushbars and the Motor Assembly Layshaft.

The Soleplate is fixed to the bottom of the Cleaner Head with 5 x [Philips No.2 x 15mm] self tapping screws and a moulded plastic clip. Remove all the screws first then attend to the clip. It is this clip which has the potential to break (but mine appears to be very tough).

The positions of the screws and the clip are shown in the image below.

Pic. 15. The Soleplate Removed From The Cleaner Head
The Soleplate Removed From The Underside of The Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head
Pic. 15. The Soleplate Removed From The Underside of The Cleaner Head

The picture below shows how the clip can be released:

  1. First remove the Long Brushbar as described in sections 1 and 2 above. This gives access to the clip.
  2. Pull the Clip forward using either a very strong fingernail or prise it using a long screwdriver with a thin blade, as shown below, so that it will move past the protrusion over which it sits.
Pic. 16. Releasing the clip with a Flat Blade Screwdriver
Releasing the clip with a Flat Blade Screwdriver
Pic. 16. Releasing the clip with a Flat Blade Screwdriver

PHOTOGRAPHER’S NOTE: The screwdriver was held in place by an elastic band while photographing.

4. Removing the Motor Housing Cover and Cleaning Inside The Housing.

NOTE: This process is designed to be done by an electrician else damage to electrical components may go unnoticed.

NOTE: There is potential for damaging the Clip on the Motor Housing Cover.

After a few years of use dust can accumulate in the Motor Housing. Dust in there can reduce the  flow of the air cooling the motor and is best sucked out after the cover is removed.

The Motor Housing Cover is held in place by 2 x [T15 x 15mm] screws and a clip similar to the one holding the Soleplate. It is this clip which has the potential to break (but mine appears to be very tough). Unfortunately the clip cannot be accessed from within and prised apart with a screwdiver like the Soleplate Clip, but if the edge held down by the screws is lifted it angles the clip until it releases. Once open you can see that the clip engages in the same location as the Soleplate Clip.

Pic. 17. Motor Housing Cover
Motor Housing Cover
Pic. 17. Motor Housing Cover
Pic. 18. Open Motor Housing
Open Motor Housing
Pic. 18. Open Motor Housing

Re-assembling A Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head

Re-assembling a Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head is basically the reverse of the dismantling process.

1. Replacing The Motor Housing Cover.

NOTE: This process is designed to be done by an electrician else damage to electrical components may go unnoticed.

If the Motor Housing Cover has been removed you will find a Soleplate Seal attached to it. When the cover is replaced be careful to locate the ends of the seal in the groove it came out of on the edge of the Brush Housing.

2. Inserting the Brushbars.

NOTE: This process is designed to be done by the user of the DC18.

If the Soleplate has been removed then it is easier to replace the Brushbars and End Cap Assemblies. The Layshaft flat sides can easily be aligned with the shape of the hole in the end of each Brushbar.

If the Soleplate is in place each Brushbar must be dropped into the Cleaner Head from the end and rotated until it engages with the Layshaft. Fortunately the large openings in the Soleplate allow the Layshaft to be viewd while the brushbars are coupled to it.

A little light oil can be applied to the sintered bronze bearings mounted in the End Cap Assemblies. The bearings, being sintered, should soak it up. The bearings then have to be aligned with and pushed onto the Brushbar Axles.

NOTE:

  • Some plastics can be harmed (softened) by mineral oils.
  • Oxidation can change the quality of natural oils over time.
  • Do not apply any oil to the Layshaft.

3. Re-attaching The End Cap Assemblies.

NOTE: This process is designed to be done by the user of the DC18 while the Soleplate is attached. If not attached it should be done by the technician who will re-attach the soleplate.

Below is an image of the the Cleaner Head upside down with an End Cap Assembly and Soleplate removed. Refer to this while engaging the End Cap Assembly.

NOTE: The End Cap Assemblies can be engaged while the Soleplate is attached.

Note the flanges [A] and [D] moulded onto the transparent top of the Cleaner Head and see how they engage the protrusions at [C] and [F] on the End-cap to stop it being pulled off.

Now engage the End-cap with the transparent plastic of the Cleaner Head so that [A] is placed adjacent to the open space [B] and [D] is placed adjacent to [E]. Rotate the End-cap so that [A] slides around from [B] to [C] and [D] slides around from [E] to [F]. Make sure the T-bar of the turnbuckle passes through the slot in the transparent cover and turn the turnbuckle clockwise with a suitable coin.

Pic. 19. The End Cap Assembly ready to be re-attached
The End Cap Assembly ready to be re-attached.
Pic. 19. The End Cap Assembly ready to be re-attached.

4. Attaching The Soleplate.

NOTE: This process is designed to be done by a technician.

Ensure that all the grooves around the edge of the Soleplate and the area it fits to on the underside of the Cleaner Head are free from dirt or it won’t fit together. Check that the rubber seals along the two long edges of the Soleplate are fitted in position for the Soleplate to bed onto.

With the Cleaning Head upside down lay the Soleplate in place, align the catch and click it into position. Then replace the 5 x [Philips No.2 x 15mm] self tapping screws.

END OF POST

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Comments

36 responses to “Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head Maintenance”

  1. larry brillard avatar
    larry brillard

    Is it possible to remove the swivel from the airway socket

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Larry,
      I just removed my cleaner head and the socket housing cover from the swivel so I could have a good look at how it is assembled. I have to conclude that the swivel must push onto the tube projecting from the front of the yoke and click into position when assembled in the factory. I cannot see any way to dismantle it without breaking the swivel. If I knew how the parts were shaped where they are coupled together I might be able to decide if something could be poked between them to hold back the catch. There seems to be more of a gap at the back than the front. I’m sorry the news is not good.

      Reply
  2. Joanna Bush avatar
    Joanna Bush

    Hello Colin- I have carefully followed your advise on how to remove the cleaner head and no success. It is stuck. My hands are not weak! I pressed the indentations of two catches while pulling and no go! Any advice short of taking it to the Best Buy repair center?

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Joanna,
      Try laying the cleaner down so that the wheels are on the floor and the cleaner head is up in the air. When you press the catches in they should rock on a fulcrum in the middle of their length and the other end should come out by a 1/4 of an inch. They should spring back into position when you let go. If you can’t push them in try pushing the cleaner head further on to relieve friction on the catches. Only when both catches are in the release position will the cleaner head come off. If it won’t come off with both catches released then it must be jammed on with dirt, grit or some part broken and it might then have to be prised off. I have just taken some photos and I will try and use them to improve my post on the subject later today and let you know when I have completed it.

      Reply
  3. Joanna Bush avatar
    Joanna Bush

    Thank you so much Colin. Will try it later!

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Joanna,
      I have modified my post to give a better description of removing the Cleaning Head and replacing it and I have covered the possible lubrication of some parts. This includes three new pictures of the catches and Swivel. I hope this is helpful.
      Good luck.

      Reply
  4. Joanna Bush avatar
    Joanna Bush

    Thank you! Success at last due to your kind assistance, Colin. All the best!

    Reply
  5. Marlene N. avatar
    Marlene N.

    Hi Colin: I hope you can help here. My roller bar starts and stops as I am using my DC18. There is nothing caught in the roller bar. It just stops and starts rotating as I am pushing it round. I noticed that It depends on the angle of the tilting the body of the vacumn when I am using it. If it is closer to the upright position it works. The more “horizontal-like” it gets (but not too horizontal) it stops. It just stops rotating as I am pushing it round.

    I really, really love this vacumn its not too heavy and it cleans up a lot of fine particles, and I am hoping this can be fixed. The left swivel catch is missing one of the prongs so I have it taped with duct tape. This seemed to work for a while. I am not sure if that is the problem though. Thanks in advance for your advice.

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Marlene,

      I’m sorry to hear your worried about losing the use of your Dyson, but I think the problem can be fixed.

      There is an electric switch which detects if the DC18 is in the upright position or at a working angle like it would be when you’re pushing it around. See my post Dyson Slim DC18 Undercarriage Repair and the section Dyson Slim DC18 Undercarriage Replacement Process item 4. On one side of the undercarriage there is a Micro-switch which senses when the cleaner is locked in the upright position. This shows the switch. Now the switch gets worked by a few levers so they may not be functioning correctly due to dirt or a breakage. Also there are flexible wires feeding the switch and the socket that the Cleaner Head plugs into. These wires may have in intermittent break in them due to them being flexed during normal usage.

      Unless you are familiar with fixing electro-mechanical devices you need a local vacuum cleaner expert or electrician to take a look. If he/she says they don’t know anything about Dyson’s show them my blog and they can find out all about them. If there doesn’t seem to be a mechanical problem they might need a test meter to check the continuity of the wires, switch and socket while moving the DC18 up and down to localize the fault. Getting access to the parts to do the tests may be difficult but not unsurmountable to a good electrician.

      I wish you luck. Some replacement parts are available.

      Reply
  6. KEITH avatar
    KEITH

    Hi
    I have a DC18 which operates fine in the upright position through the wand however when in the down position there is no suction through the brush head but still suction through the pipe! Is there some sort of valve that should divert the air flow that is not working? I have cleaned out machine but the swivel clips appear damaged and one has come off but I am struggling to get brush head off – could there be a blockage in this section?

    Thank you for any help you can give

    Keith

    Reply
  7. Richard avatar
    Richard

    Hi, can you help me please I have recently took apart my dc18 slim to clean and on reassembly of the brush head I have a random spring and one of the end caps is very loose (pushes in and out) and the brush head is now quite loud?
    Any ideas?
    Thanks
    Richard

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Richard,
      Is it a coil spring like those in ball-point pens or some other sort? Could it have been vacuumed up rubbish that fell out when you dismantled it and nothing to do with this Dyson?
      Please run through my blog again and check all references to springs in text and pictures.
      You can send pictures of your spring to helpful.colin@btinternet.com.
      Please dismantle parts of the brush bar and check the rotating brushes are fitted correctly and that they correctly engage with the endcaps.

      Reply
    2. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Richard,
      Did you resolve you DC18 brush head problem?
      I know it was a long time ago, but someone has just asked about a spring dropping out when cleaning their brush head. Now they have a loud noise and it doesn’t work properly.
      I don’t have a DC18 anymore and I never came across an unusual spring in my brush head. But I’d like to help them if possible.
      Regards, Colin.

      Reply
  8. ruth burke avatar
    ruth burke

    Can you buy the plastic turnbuckle for the cleaner head I have lost one

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Ruth,
      I think you’re in luck. It looks like you can buy what you want – at a price. Visit: http://www.appliancespareswarehouse.co.uk/dyson-vacuum-parts/range:dc18?page=2
      Look for: Dyson DC18 End Cap Assembly (Right) or Dyson End Cap Assembly (Left) for DC18 on page 5. These end caps each contain the turn buckle you want.
      Good luck.
      Kind Regards, HC.

      Reply
      1. ruth burke avatar
        ruth burke

        Thanks

        Reply
  9. John edwards avatar
    John edwards

    Hi,
    I’ve bought a reconditioned DC18 and the long brush bar has stopped spinning properly, it looks to me like the bar Isn’t engaging properly with the central spindle and hence the spindle is just spinning inside the bar without actually spinning up the bar itself, I just wondered is this is known weakness of that model and is there a fix or does it require a new part, love the vacuum otherwise, any help gratefully received I am very frustrated !!
    John

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi John,

      Sorry to hear you have a problem.

      I suspect you will find the motor spindle is spinning inside the drive belt or the drive belt is snapped. If the motor is spinning inside the drive-belt then the heat generated may already have damaged the rubber belt. Can you smell burning rubber?

      If you remove the brush-bar end caps and then take the brush-bars out you will be able to see the Layshaft and check if it is being rotated by the motor. You will also be able to see if the holes in the ends of the brush-bars are damaged (rounded off). I hope that when you take them out you find they are in someway jammed with dirt or something wrapped around them. If that is so then cleaning may resolve the problem, but the belt may still have been damaged. Go to ‘Disassembling A Dyson Slim DC18 Cleaner Head’ sections 2 to 4.

      Good luck.

      Regards, Colin.

      Reply
  10. Glenn avatar
    Glenn

    I have a DC18, the brush bar stops after about 1 minute. It then occasionally runs then stops, if I switch off for 5 minutes I can get it running again for 1 minute. Connection to the motor are good, doesn’t look like the brushes are easily removed. Do you think I need a whole motor assembly?

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Glen,
      I don’t understand why you say the brushes are not easily removed. The DC18 as I know it is described in my blog with photographs showing how to remove the brushes. It’s necessary to remove brushes from time to time just to clean them of things such as cotton threads or string that get wrapped around them and to replace the drive belt which can wear out.
      Please try again to remove the brushes and check to see if the drive belt is damaged or they are clogged with dirt.
      Regards, Colin.

      Reply
  11. Sarah Boreham avatar
    Sarah Boreham

    Hi Colin

    My DC18’s swivel catches have both come off and are not to be seen, my Dad seems to think they have a spring with them but when I have searched for the part online it doesn’t seem to show a spring? are you able to confirm for me?

    Many thanks
    Sarah

    Reply
  12. Pam Sinclair avatar
    Pam Sinclair

    Hi Colin,
    I have the DC18 slimline. I haven’t used it in a while as I bought a stick model and now want to give the old one to a friend.
    I have taken all the moveable parts off and given a thorough clean. I have 2 cleaning heads . I always used the brush powerhead and cand put that back on ok. However my friend has just installed new timber floors, so I tried to put the other cleaning head on (one with rubber bristles made for delicate floors), but it doesn’t have anything to click into.
    Am I missing something here? Help would be appreciated.
    Many thanks
    Pam

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Pam,
      I never knew there was another type of cleaning head for a DC18. So I’ve had a look around the internet and this is what I have found.
      An earlier model, the DC15, does have two heads as you describe. I suspect the fitment method for heads is not the same as a DC18. The simple DC15 head has just some rubber pieces at the front edge. Scroll down these spare part diagrams.
      If you have a DC18 then maybe you acquired this other brush for a DC15 but never tried it or you can fit it onto the flexible wand somehow and use it that way.
      The method of using a DC18 on a hard floor is to switch off the rotating head so that it doesn’t spin round. You can do that with the silver switch next to the red ON/OFF switch on the handle stem.
      I hope this helps.
      Kind regards, Colin.

      Reply
  13. Susanna avatar
    Susanna

    Hi Colin,

    I took the brushes out of my DC18 for cleaning without problem and a small coil or spring ( similar to a spring in a ball pen, just bigger) came out with the brushes but on trying to assemble I don’t know where it goes. I tried to run the Dyson without that spring but the brushes make a loud noise and sometimes stop rotating. Please could you help me with this? Thank you.
    Regards Susanna

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      H Susanna,
      It seems you are not the first to have this problem. If you look at the comments for this post you will find one from Richard on 28th November 2016 which is similar.
      Unfortunately I gave my DC18 to someone outside the family earlier this year so I can’t take a look at one anymore.
      As you can see from my articles I have looked at it in detail in the past, But I don’t recall finding a spring like you did. That’s why I suggested to Richard that it may be one that he vacuumed up but didn’t go up the pipe. Then it just dropped out when he cleaned it.
      The only other explanation is that yours and his are built differently from mine.
      If you look at the broken down diagram of Parts of A DC18 you will find coil springs, but not in the Brush Head. (You can click on the diagram to enlarge the sub assemblies.)
      As for the noise: Are the sintered bronze bearings fixed in place in the endcaps. They shouldn’t be loose or rotate. They should be lubricated with some light oil. Sintered metal can soak up a bit of oil.
      If the bearings are loose in the endcaps then that’s a problem to be solved.
      I think you could run the motor with the brushes removed to check the motor turns the drive belt and layshaft. There may be a problem with the belt, motor or layshaft. Certainly a re-examination of all the parts and how they fit together is required.
      Good luck.
      Regards, Colin.

      Reply
      1. Susanna avatar
        Susanna

        Hi Colin,
        Just to let you and maybe others know; Eventually I found out where this little springy coil goes. It goes in the outer end of the smaller brush where it meets the end cap. In the cap there is a small tube like opening and the coil/spring fits right in there and meets a small metal rod on the end of the small brush which then slots in all together into the end cap. Mystery solved. Works now perfectly. My Dyson must be a different model. Anyway, thanks again for all your information. Regards Susanna

        Reply
  14. Susanna avatar
    Susanna

    Hi Colin
    Thank you so much for your reply and for all the information you have given, great stuff. Yes, I have seen Richard’s Post when I started searching for answers on the matter. I will investigate further and take the brushes out again to see where the little coil or spring goes. I know I have done it before and it belongs to the brushes but I just can’t remember where to attach it to. I will try different things and see. I also saw the parts-diagramm and the spring but it seems not to belong to the brush part, as you already mentioned. The Dyson runs and sucks up the dust also without the brushes, just not as good, so motor, belt and layshaft seems to be ok. I will have another look at it and try different things. This little coily spring has to go somewhere and I will find out where. Thanks again for all your help. Regards. Susanna

    Reply
  15. Buzz Coren avatar
    Buzz Coren

    Hello Colin: For the second time I’m astonished at the detail of your tutorials. Trying to figure out where the annoying rattling sound is coming from on my DC18 I thought it might be the cleaner head, disassembled it per your great instructions, the sound persists, but the head definitely needed cleaning anyway. I can’t isolate where the rattle comes from; I replaced the HEPA filter, have a new canister too and the unit has good suction. Is it possible there’s a motor part that’s come loose but doesn’t impede the operation? My feeling is a it’s a new noise, isn’t going away and I’ll baby this machine along until it truly dies. I’ve taken it apart before when there was an obvious problem but this is a mystery. Any input to be had? No hurry. Thanks much!

    Reply
  16. Buzz Coren avatar
    Buzz Coren

    Colin, I figured out the rattling noise….stuck behind the swivel (on the intake when the machine goes from floor vacuum to upright) was a short length piece of thread that upon pulling it out was attached to a surprising mass of other stuff and at the end, an earring earwire firmly attached and making all kinds of racket. After the thorough cleaning it runs like new. Thanksabunch!

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Buzz,
      I’m glad you’ve fixed it.
      After reading your first comment, my first thought was of a small piece of grit off the carpet. I’ve observed how some things like stones are too heavy to be lifted all the way to the bucket or bag by vacuum cleaners, but can be lifted enough to rattle against the side of a pipe while suspended in the air stream.
      Regards, Colin.

      Reply
  17. Elizabeth avatar
    Elizabeth

    Thank you for these posts! I just thoroughly cleaned most of my DC18. I love the DC18, which I’ve had for ~20 years, and don’t know why Dyson hasn’t continued it.

    Reply
  18. Tiff avatar
    Tiff

    Very helpful! My brush motor stopped and I followed your directions, cleaned things out and now it works 🙂

    Reply
  19. Buzz Coren avatar
    Buzz Coren

    Colin, you’re amazing. Thanks for this update.

    Reply
  20. Jason avatar
    Jason

    After a sudden blue flash, the motorised brush stopped spinning. It spins freely by hand. Do you think the motor has packed in?

    Reply
  21. Stephane Huet avatar
    Stephane Huet

    Hello Colin.
    Just found this site. Amazing!!!
    Do you know where I can find Sintered Bronze bearing for the End Cap Assemblies on my DC18 head?

    Reply
    1. Helpful Colin avatar
      Helpful Colin

      Hi Stephanie,
      Sorry I don’t know where to find what you want. Not every part is marketed by spares departments, but there’s no harm in asking.
      You need access to an old one that has been scrapped for some other reason than the bearings, but, I’m sure that would a rare find. You could ask for one on Freecycle sites.
      You might find an engineer with a lathe who could make the bronze part (or a brass equivalent to make do), and another who could make the plastic part with a 3-D printer.
      Regards, Colin.

      Reply

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