The Tech Drive self-propel system is the reason a Kirby upright is workable at its weight. When the neutral pedal goes, that advantage disappears and you are pushing a very heavy machine by hand. This is the replacement pedal cam assembly - the black housing with the gray left pedal and the yellow right pedal - that selects between drive and neutral on the Kirby transmission.
Built for
- The pedal that fell out. The single most common report: the cam works loose on its shaft over thousands of pedal presses until the assembly simply drops out mid-vacuum.
- Stuck in one mode. Rear wheels locked in drive, or self-propel that will not engage no matter which pedal you press.
- Vacuum service benches. Kirby dealers and independent repair shops treat this as a known, high-frequency wear item on the G series.
- Owners who repair rather than replace. Kirby machines attract that owner, and this is one of the cheaper parts on a very expensive vacuum.
Why the cam wears out
This is normal wear, not a defect. Every press of the pedal transfers load through the cam to the camshaft. Over a long service life that contact surface erodes until the cam no longer grips, at which point it either slips - so the pedals move but nothing changes - or works free and falls out. Machines that see hard daily use reach that point sooner than a household unit will.
Owners commonly try to save the old cam with super glue or a thread locker first. Service techs are consistent that the fix does not hold: the failure is a lost mechanical grip on a load-bearing surface, and adhesive does not restore it. Replacing the cam is the actual repair.
Installation notes
Reaching the pedal cam means removing the handle, the switch plate and the upper motor cover to get access to the transmission. The pedal itself is retained by a single T15 Torx screw with a locator pin. It is a moderate job with common hand tools, and there are step-by-step video walkthroughs available for the G series.
One important diagnostic note before you order: if the pedals move correctly but the machine still will not drive, the cam may not be your problem. Check the drive belt and the transmission itself, since a failed drive component produces the same complaint from the operator seat.
Specifications
- Type: neutral drive pedal cam assembly
- Part numbers: 558499A, 558499, KIR-558499A
- Stated fitment: Kirby G4, G5, G6
- Included: cam housing with gray left pedal and yellow right pedal
- Fastener: single T15 Torx screw with locator pin
- Brand: Kirby
Fitment lists for the Sentria, Ultimate G and Diamond Edition vary between sellers. If you have one of those machines, send us your model and we will verify the correct cam before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kirby models does 558499A fit?
It is listed for the Kirby G4, G5 and G6. Fitment for the Sentria, Ultimate G and Diamond Edition varies between sellers, so send us your model number and we will verify before you order.
Why did my pedal cam fail?
Normal wear. Every pedal press erodes the cam's grip on the shaft until it slips or works loose and drops out. It is a common wear item on heavily used G-series machines.
Can I glue the old one instead of replacing it?
Owners try super glue and thread locker, and service techs report those fixes do not hold. The failure is a lost mechanical grip, so the cam needs to be replaced.
How difficult is the repair?
Moderate. The handle, switch plate and upper motor cover come off to reach the transmission, and the pedal is held by one T15 Torx screw with a locator pin. Video walkthroughs are available for the G series.
I replaced the pedal and still have no drive. What now?
Check the drive belt and the transmission. A failed drive component produces the same symptom as a bad cam, so if the pedals now move correctly the problem is further down the drivetrain.
Is this a genuine Kirby part?
It carries the Kirby part number 558499A. Kirby recommends genuine parts for the Tech Drive system.
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized dealer for the vacuum and floor care brands we carry, with US-based support from people who work on this equipment every day. If you are not certain this part matches your machine, send us your model number and serial plate details and we will confirm the fit before you order.
