The body shell is held together by the side bumper strips. To separate the upper and lower halves of the shell, open the lid and remove the bag. Then stretch each side rubber bumper cover to release them from the plastic side strip to which each is fastened, only at the opened cover end (the tail end will remain fastened). With needle-nosed pliers, grasp the plastic strip and pull...I found this easier to do by standing the canister on its tail end on the floor and pulling the strips upward toward the open cover side. The strips and rubber covers will slide out of the locking channel together. Once the strips are out, you will see how the rest comes apart!
Bob, August 2007