How to Replace a Rainbow Vacuum Belt
Is your Rainbow Vacuum belt worn out or broken? Take a look at this video where we show you how to replace your belt on almost any model of Rainbow.
Important Safety Tips
- Always make sure your machine is unplugged and the power button is turned off, before servicing your vacuum.
- Always make sure your hands are dry and free from moisture before servicing your machine.
- Be sure to wear gloves when servicing your machine to prevent any cuts or scrapes.
- If you are uncomfortable working on your vacuum, please don’t hesitate to contact us at service@greatvacs.com and we can help you through the process or you can send it into us to fix it for you.
Supplies
- Flat head screwdriver
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Replacement belt
Make sure the power head is detached from the vacuum and everything is unplugged before getting started!
E-series Black:
Flip the power head over and start by unlocking the grey tab at the back with a flat head screwdriver.
There are four tabs that need pressed to remove the bottom plate. You’ll start with the two side tabs. Take your finger and pull up on the bottom plate. With your other hand you can press the tab and the cover will pop up on that side.
Repeat with the other one and then you can press the last two tabs on the back at the same time and lift the bottom plate to remove it.
Now you need to take the brush roll out. If the belt is broken it will be a little bit easier. Lift each end of the brush roll and it will bring the corner piece with it.
Once both ends are free you just need to unhook the belt from the motor.
Once the belt is free you can completely remove the brush roll, discard the old belt, and replace it with the new belt. When you put the new belt in make sure it lines up with the grooves on the brush roll. Now you need to hook the belt onto the motor shaft. Make sure that the belt is lined up with those grooves as well.
Then, reinstall the brush roll. Align the hooks on the corner brushes with the slot and rotate them into place.
Finally, replace the bottom plate. Snap it back into place and don’t forget to relock the grey tab!
E-series (E-1 to Blue)
Flip the power head over and turn the locking tab counterclockwise with a flat head screwdriver.
Then squeeze the two tabs together and you can lift the bottom plate off.
To get the belt out you will need to open the belt cover. This will give you total access to the belt and motor shaft.
If the belt is broken the brush roll will come out a lot easier. Either way, just grab the brush roll and pull it up. Unhook the belt from the motor shaft and you can completely remove the brush roll and replace the belt.
Hook the belt back on the motor shaft and then pop the brush roll back into place by aligning the sides with the mounts on the head.
You can even spin the brush roll a couple times by hand to align everything.
Snap the belt cover back down and replace the bottom plate, making sure the relock the tab by turning it clockwise.
D4 and SE
Flip the head over and remove the two Phillips head screws with your screwdriver. The plate will then lift right off.
You will see the belt on one side and can just slide it off. Then, you will be able to remove the brush roll and unhook the belt from the motor shaft.
To put the new belt on, put the brush roll back by pointing the tapered end pieces down.
Hook the belt on the motor shaft first.
Then, using your thumbs, hook the belt around the end pulley.
Spin the brush roll a few times by hand to make sure it’s seated properly.
Hook the bottom plate back on the head, making sure the wheels are aligned in the slots, and fold it down. Put your screws back in and you’re done!
Need to buy a new belt? Click here!
Here at Great Vacs we service and rebuild Rainbow vacuum cleaners, so if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave us a comment! You can also head on over to our Youtube channel to see more educational videos.
