Cleaner works, but burning smell from casing enclosing motor. Wish to examine, with view to removing burning fluff, replacing brushes, or replacing motor. Tipping bag over reveals two screws, but it seems there is a third fixing, probably concealed under where the handle shaft is attached. The shaft looks as if it is clipped in place, and might lever off, but I'll wait for some advice before trying. And is there anywhere on the web I could read a construction diagram as used by a service engineer - www.Vorwerk.com is not in the least helpful.

Reg Dixon, April 2010

Best of luck: I don't think they're designed to be removed. I had exactly the same problem: smell of burning, couldn't see how to get the thing apart, so carried on using it until it started smoking, then bought a Dyson!
Anyway, with nothing to lose, I cut my way in: once you get the cream cover off, it's quite easy, but I still haven't worked out how to get it off without destroying it.
My motor was completely seized, solder melted on the commutator, so it's in the bin now! Brushes weren't bad for 20 years.

Boris, April 2010