DIY & Home Improvement

Beartracks

(14,159 posts) Mon Oct 13, 2025, 06:40 PM Monday

Anyone got experience with a Shark vacuum cleaner?

On mine (LA500 Rotator Left-Away), the front "soft roller" isn't spinning. Everything was fine until I took it off to clean it as well as the main roller (which I did not remove), but after clicking the soft roller back into place only the main roller activates. I am given to understand that if you spin one by hand then they both should spin, but this is not the case with mine, which lends me to think the problem is likely a belt? But before I go buy a T20 torx to take the entire assembly apart in order to even see the belt, I thought I'd check here and see if anyone has any enlightenment they could share.

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7 replies

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Anyone got experience with a Shark vacuum cleaner? (Original Post) Beartracks Monday OP

We own a newish Shark -- I'll keep an eye out for that problem. byronius Monday #1

Good you know how to work on one Captain Zero Monday #2

I was surprised at the sheer amount of disassembly required to access the belt. Beartracks Monday #3

I've got a duo clean detect & no probs- great vac! Why don't you buy a Torx key set? tazcat Monday #4

I will be doing that. I'd likely find more uses for them once I own a set. Beartracks Tuesday #6

I've had a few sharks Bristlecone Monday #5

My soft roller was working until I had the audacity to pop it out and clean it. Beartracks Tuesday #7

byronius

(7,843 posts)

1. We own a newish Shark -- I'll keep an eye out for that problem.

Reply to Beartracks (Original post)

Mon Oct 13, 2025, 08:43 PM

Monday

Thanks. Good luck!

Captain Zero

(8,505 posts)

2. Good you know how to work on one

Reply to Beartracks (Original post)

Mon Oct 13, 2025, 09:07 PM

Monday

Because what I've learned is there is no one authorized to work on them. Repair shop I went to said they wouldn't work on it. They said you have to send it to shark. I messed around and got mine going with sheer luck.
But it is still a great vacuum cleaner.

Beartracks

(14,159 posts)

3. I was surprised at the sheer amount of disassembly required to access the belt.

Reply to Captain Zero (Reply #2)

Mon Oct 13, 2025, 09:27 PM

Monday

I guess that's my next task after getting the right Torx. I'm quite certain I'll find the belt is fine and the problem is some other random enigma, because that's usually how it goes when I try to repair things.

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tazcat

(174 posts)

4. I've got a duo clean detect & no probs- great vac! Why don't you buy a Torx key set?

Reply to Beartracks (Original post)

Mon Oct 13, 2025, 10:13 PM

Monday

Bought an Eklind 9 pc torx key set. Had to disassemble most of my ryobi tractor to get damn idiot backup alarm out. Lotsa leftover screws! LOL
Maybe something's jammed up on that side. Good luck!

Beartracks

(14,159 posts)

6. I will be doing that. I'd likely find more uses for them once I own a set.

Reply to tazcat (Reply #4)

Tue Oct 14, 2025, 07:52 PM

Tuesday

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Bristlecone

(10,915 posts)

5. I've had a few sharks

Reply to Beartracks (Original post)

Mon Oct 13, 2025, 10:29 PM

Monday

Over time, those spinning brushes lock up and need to be replaced. The spindle itself seems to lock up.

In our case, we have 3 dogs and vacuum multiple floors multiple times per week. Over time the pet hair slows the brush down, it gets hot, and kind of melts/fuses itself. I’ve replaced the brushes on multiple units over the years and it always fixes the issue - until it happens again

Note: the brush wheels usually come with a new belt or two also, so it effectively refreshes the moving parts of the vacuum head.

Until we say enough, and we get a new vacuum. Probably a new one every 1.5 - 2 years.

It’s not like the old Kirby days. These units are designed to be replaced fairly regularly IMO.

Beartracks

(14,159 posts)

7. My soft roller was working until I had the audacity to pop it out and clean it.

Reply to Bristlecone (Reply #5)

Tue Oct 14, 2025, 07:56 PM

Tuesday

I don't *think* it's got any hair/fuse problem, so I'm confused as to why it won't activate. I'm kinda worried that it's NOT a belt after all, but rather a worn wire or something in the swivel "neck." The main brush roller still works for carpet at least, but the soft roller is great when doing hard floors.

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