A loud bang followed by a new rattle and a sharp drop in suction almost always means the same thing on an older Kirby: something hard went through the fan. This genuine Kirby fan assembly is the fix, supplied as a four-piece kit with the fan, shaft, washers and spacer so the repair does not stall waiting on hardware. It covers the pre-Generation machines, from the 516 through the Legend II.
The fan is also a wear item even when nothing dramatic happens to it. Sand and grit erode the blades over years of service, chipping edges and costing airflow gradually enough that owners do not notice until the machine feels weak. Repair technicians commonly replace the fan as part of any rebuild for exactly that reason. Restoring the fan restores airflow through the entire machine at a small fraction of what a motor costs.
Use cases
- A coin, screw, marble or nail went through the fan and the vacuum now rattles or vibrates
- Suction has dropped off and the fan blades are visibly chipped or eroded
- Preventive replacement during a full rebuild or restoration
- Vintage Kirby restoration where original airflow performance matters
- Independent vacuum repair shops servicing Heritage, Legend and Classic machines
Field notes
The fan nut is a left-hand reverse thread, which catches people out. Turn it clockwise to loosen. On reassembly, snug it only, because the nut self-tightens once the motor is running and overtightening it makes the next fan change considerably harder.
Seal the fan case to the base pan around the perimeter when you reassemble. An air leak at that joint costs you the suction the new fan was fitted to restore, and it is easy to overlook on a machine that has been apart. Repair technicians also caution that aftermarket fans for these models tend to be brittle and return quickly, which is the argument for fitting the genuine part on a machine you intend to keep.
Specifications
- Genuine Kirby OEM part 119078G
- Four piece kit: fan, shaft, washers and spacer
- Fits 516, 517, 518, 519, 560, 561, 562, VII, D50, D80, 1CR Classic, 1CB Classic Omega, 2CB Classic III, 3CB Tradition, 1HC, 1HD Heritage, 2HD Heritage II, 2HD Legend and Legend II
- Does not fit G-series machines (G3 through Avalir), which use a different fan
- One fan assembly per pack
Frequently asked questions
How do I know the fan is broken?
The usual signs are a sudden loud bang, a new rattle or vibration, and a sharp loss of suction, most often right after picking up something hard with the hose.
Which way does the fan nut turn?
It is a left-hand reverse thread, so turn it clockwise to loosen. On reassembly only snug it, because it self-tightens once the motor runs.
Do I need this fan or the G-series one?
This is the older-style fan covering the 516 through the Legend II. Generation series machines from the G3 onward use a different fan and this one will not fit them.
Should I replace the fan even if it is not cracked?
Many technicians do. Chips, nicks and grit erosion cost airflow, and aged plastic can develop stress cracks that let go at the higher motor speed used in hose mode.
Is there anything to watch for on reassembly?
Seal the fan case to the base pan around its perimeter when you put it back together. An air leak there will cost you the suction the new fan just restored.
Discount Cleaning Products supplies genuine Kirby parts rather than aftermarket copies, which matters on a fan more than almost anywhere else on the machine. Our US-based team can confirm which fan your Kirby takes if you send us the model name from the badge.
