The Kirby Heritage and Legend machines are still working in houses forty years after they were sold, and the front wheel axle is one of the few parts that genuinely wears out on them. This front wheel shaft assembly, reference 131670S, is the 1CR/LGII axle with an 8-1/8 inch inside length used on Legend II, Legend, Heritage II and Heritage 84 uprights. It is bought by owners who want a machine that rolls straight again and by vacuum shops who see the same worn axle come across the bench every week.
Built for
- Kirby Heritage and Legend uprights that drag, lean or track sideways on carpet
- Front wheels that bind, wobble on the shaft or sit at uneven heights
- Restoring a vintage Kirby that is mechanically sound but rolls badly
- Service shops stocking common wear parts for older Kirby models
What this part actually fixes
The front axle sets the ride height at the nozzle end and carries the weight the height adjustment was designed around. Once it wears, the machine tells you on the floor rather than through the motor: more effort to push, a nozzle that scrapes on one corner, uneven grooming across the carpet, and wheels that squeal or stop turning altogether. Replacing the axle puts the front end back to the geometry the machine was built with, so brush contact and pickup usually come back at the same time.
Fitment on these older machines is worth checking by number rather than by name, because Kirby used several axle lengths across the Heritage and Legend generations. This one is the 8-1/8 inch inside length version and replaces parts numbered 131670, 131670S and 131673. If the old shaft measures noticeably longer or shorter than that, it is a different axle.
Specifications
- Part: Kirby front wheel shaft assembly, reference 131670S, 1CR/LGII
- Inside shaft length: 8-1/8 inches
- Fits: Kirby Legend II, Legend, Heritage II and Heritage 84 uprights
- Replaces part numbers: 131670, 131670S, 131673
- Supplied as: shaft assembly only, mounting hardware not included
Frequently asked questions
Which Kirby models does this axle fit?
It fits Kirby Legend II, Legend, Heritage II and Heritage 84 uprights. It is the 1CR/LGII axle and replaces part numbers 131670, 131670S and 131673.
How do I confirm this is the right length before ordering?
Measure the inside length of the shaft on your machine, between the mounting brackets. This axle measures 8-1/8 inches. Kirby used more than one length across the Heritage and Legend generations, so the measurement is more reliable than the model name alone.
How do I know the axle is worn out?
Lay the vacuum on its back and spin each front wheel by hand. Binding, side-to-side play on the shaft, or wheels sitting at different heights all point to a worn axle. A machine that has become noticeably harder to push on carpet is the other common sign.
Does it include the wheels and mounting hardware?
No. It is the shaft assembly on its own. Keep the wheels, screws and brackets from the old part, because they transfer over to the new axle.
Discount Cleaning Products keeps the wear parts that hold older commercial and household vacuums together, with US-based support from people who work on these machines. Send us your Kirby model number and we will confirm the axle before you order.
