Here's a more clear answer, though be it longer, for how to change the belt.... the FOOLPROOF way:
There are three basic things to be done in order to replace the belt (details farther down):
1) Remove the BOTTOM cover (black) and take out the roller-bar.
2) Remove the TOP cover (colored).
3) Put on the new belt. [The old one is likely broken and will/can come off/out when you remove the roller-bar.]
You will need a medium-size flat-head screwdriver. It may be helpful to gather up a flashlight, and, if allergic to dust, a mask. It always helps to see clearly what you are pushing and pulling on before you may break it, if it doesn't "give."
BE SURE the vac isn't plugged in. Find a large flat area on which to lay the vac, extend it all the way flat using the "foot peddle," and lay it out TOP-side DOWN.
To remove the BOTTOM cover, find the embossed diagram on the cover itself, showing where to insert the screwdriver (nice picture there). Starting on the side with the picture, insert the flat-head of the tool into the front part of the slot (toward the brushes) and gently push the handle-end ALSO in that direction. While doing so, insert the fingers of your other hand into the skinny void between the picture of the screwdriver and the rounded housing. With your fingertips, you will be able to pull up on the part that shows the picture, assuming you have successfully disengaged the "clip" with the screwdriver. Now, do the same on the other side. Voila, the cover will come off. Remember, when you put it back on, to insert the 3 small tabs near the front edge into the slots at the front edge of the vac (after the TOP cover is put back on.)
NOW, while the vac is still upside-down, in order to remove the TOP cover, insert the screwdriver into the side slots and pry outward while you gently disengage the colored part from the black part. Here's where the screwdriver goes (2 places on each side)... one is where the little embossed side arrows show on the outside of the clips that you already worked on. The 2nd place is at the very back, outside the big wheels and their housings.... pry between the wheel housing and the the TOP cover where you see the colored part overlapping the black (look down in there with the flashlight if need be.). If you look CLOSELY, you will see another small embossed arrow pointing the way. Do the SAME on BOTH SIDES. It may be easier if you ask another person to help with this.
Now you are ready to CLEAN the machine up a bit, removing hair and dirt-balls (YUCK)... use a small stiff brush if you have one, and you may as well use a damp rag to wipe some dust away... make it look nice for all your effort.
Put the NEW BELT around the roller first (one end of the roller has a rounded-but-flattened part where the belt rides.. put the belt over that, push the other looped end of the belt through the opening toward where it needs to go over the metal spindle, and then place the roller-bar back into it's side-slots. [You will pull the belt over the spindle after you turn the vac over.]
NOW, turn the vac over. You may need to use a screwdriver (or similar tool) to stretch the belt over the spindle, so do that now. Then replace the TOP cover by snapping it back into place. [You'll find that having enough room to roll the vac over a few times is a superior strategy than standing it up and stretching it out again as needed.]
NOW replace the BOTTOM cover (black one) remembering to stick the three tabs into the three slots in the colored part. Then you can push down on the cover and snap it back into place.
VACUUM HINT of the day: DO NOT wind the cord up tightly on the provided hooks... over time, as the cord becomes more rigid, this action will tend to break the cord and possibly expose the wires. Just roll the cord loosely in your hand and hang it from the top hook. Winding it on the hooks usually causes stretching of the cord.
A vacuum cleaner can last a LONG time if cared for properly... replace the bag when no more than 2/3 full, remove tangled hair from the roller-brushes, and don't stretch the cord by winding it tightly around the hooks.
You can clean out the zippered cloth "bag" by taking the vac outside to remove the filled bag, then run the motor for a bit with the zipper open (away from the front door!) to blow out loose dust and debris. This is also a good time to clean the brushes a bit, whether you need to remove the bottom cover or not.... it doesn't take long when you know how!
It took me awhile to write this up, so I truly hope you find these instructions helpful.
Peggy the fix-it lady, March 2010
