try what you have been told,it may work I worked as a service engineer for hoover for 20 years,this model has 4 screws underneath it ,you need to remove these,then you need to pry the top off ,its held in place by plastic lugs,underneath,you also need to remove the motor to replace the cable,very stupid design ,and don't cut 6 inches off,just two,
gts, February 2015