Just to make sure that we use same vocabulary:

This is "Guide Block" (Kirby parts #178797s)


This is "Bearing Assembly" (Kirby parts # 178989s)


This is "Slide" (Kirby parts # 676595s)


This is "Wedge" (Kirby parts # 179489s)


This is "Slide Bracket Casing" (Kirby parts # 849003s )


This is "Pivot Spring Assembly" (Kirby parts # 671901g )

FIRST unplug the Kirby from electric outlet!

1.

Remove scuff plate screw (Kirby parts number 233506S) holding the cord clip (T15 torx screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver on older models)

2.

Remove scuff plate bottom screw (Kirby parts # 233405S) (T20 torx screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver on older models)

3.

Put the flat screwdriver through the opening in the scuff plate and push it down thus releasing a latch inside so you can take the scuff plate off.

4.

Remove 2 rear cover shell screws (Kirby part # 232495S ) (T20 torx screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver on older models)

5.

Remove 2 front cover shell screws (Kirby part # 232395S ) (T20 torx screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver on older models)

6.

Now you have access to the Kirby slide assembly.
To remove it - remove 5 screws (Kirby part # 434397s) marked #1; #2 and #3.

Clean the parts. Use some alcohol to dissolve the old grease and dirt. Now carefully inspect surfaces for wear. If slide and/or guide blocks are worn - replace worn parts. If parts are not worn but just very dirty or corroded you can use a fine sanding paper. I would say sanding paper #800 is perfect. Would not recommend using sandpaper with number less than #600.

If parts are worn but you have a few sheets of fine sandpaper and hours of free time - you can try sanding the surfaces till they are smooth again (sandpaper has to rest on a smooth hard surface). If replacing guide or slide - we would recommend replacing bearing strips as well as most likely they are worn too it is just not that easy to see the wear on tiny bearing rollers.

Clean the parts again make sure they are completely dry and and lubricate before assembly. Guide blocks are identical so it does not mater what side is facing up or which one is on the left or on the right.

Put in screws #1 and #2 but do not tighten yet. Put the wedge in (tapered side to the taper on the slide bracket casing) and tighten screw #3 just enough to get the slide to your right flush with slide bracket casting. Now tighten screws #1.

Loosen the screw #3 and start tightening it again but this time no more than 1/4 or the turn and keep checking how slide is moving. It has to be tight enough to not have any slack to any other direction other than to the front and to the back. It has to move very easily and smoothly. Now tighten screws #2

IF YOU HAD TO REMOVE "Pivot Spring Assembly"
You have to install it when slide bracket casting is installed on the Kirby vacuum.
Make sure that slide does not reach slide bracket casting when moving pivot spring assembly.
When released it has to come back to the position where Kirby comes to rest even when transmission is set on "D".

This is for Kirby vacuum models G3, G4 and G5.