Replacing Latches on Any Rainbow E Series Vacuum Cleaner
Is your Rainbow vacuum cleaner not staying latched to your water bowl? Don't let a cheap part ruin your vacuuming experience. In this video, we will show you how easy it is to replace broken or worn out latches.
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.
Tools
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Flat head screwdriver
- Metal pick
Instructions
The first thing that you will need to do is remove these two plates. They are held on by two screws each.
We will start with the harder side first. This one has the safety switch behind it. You will need to be sure not to lose this tab!
Using your Phillips head screwdriver, remove the screws.
As you pull the plate out, pay attention to the tab for the safety switch. You’ll need to remember where it goes since it almost always falls out.
The plastic tab looks like the picture above.
Now we are ready to remove the latch. If you look closely you’ll see a brass pin.
One end of the pin has splines and the other is smooth.
Take your metal pick or hook and press on the smooth end.
Once the pin has popped through the other side you can remove the latch. There will be a spring that goes with the latch as well.
Take the latch spring and bend the ends in toward each other.
This will make installation easier, because now you can put the spring on the latch mount and it will have tension to hold itself in place.
Take your new latch and line it up with the curved end pointing down. Be careful not to knock the spring out.
Now take the pin and slide it back in. There will still be a bit sticking out.
Take your flat head screwdriver and press the pin all the way in.
Now that the latch is installed, we’re ready to put the plate back in. Since this is the plate with the safety switch tab go ahead and grab it. The tab only goes in one way – the wings facing out. A trick to getting it to stay in place is to use a little petroleum jelly or grease!
Take your plate and line everything up. Then replace the screws.
Once that’s done press the safety switch to make sure it’s still working. Time to move on to the next plate!
The next plate is similar to the first. Start by removing the two screws. This one is easier since you don’t need to worry about any tabs or switches.
Then remove the plate.
Repeat the steps for replacing the latch as above.
Now you can line the plate up and slide it back into place.
Reinstall the two screws and you’re done!
We also have an older video showing the process for D4 and SE Rainbow vacuum cleaners. Click this link to check out that video.
Need a Rainbow vacuum guide? Look no further. Check this link!
Looking for more info? Check out our Education Center!
Need your Rainbow repaired? Send us an email at service@greatvacs.com.
We sell Rainbow vacuums! We buy Rainbow vacuums! And we sell waterbowls, belts, or anything else you need!
Here at Great Vacs we’ve serviced and rebuilt nearly 100,000 Rainbow vacuum cleaners, so if you need any parts, supplies or have any questions, email as service@greatvacs.com or leave a comment! You can also head on over to our Youtube channel to see more educational videos on all of our different products.
