Hoover Spinscrub 50 Brushes Not Spinning? (We Have A Fix)

Hoover is responsible for some of the most popular and reliable cleaning tools on the market today. They specialize in vacuum cleaners and carpet scrubbers that can deal with even the toughest of carpet stains.

But what happens when the brushes on the Spinscrub 50 stop working? The Spinscrub is powered by an air turbine using vacuum air. It is not uncommon for the turbine to seize up after years of continuous use. Generally speaking, the fix is to replace the turbine, though parts are more difficult to find these days. Thankfully, repairs can be done without having to purchase any parts.

In the Spinscrub 50, those spinning brushes are the result of an air turbine. The air turbine is powered using vacuum air and the brushes spin in order to strip and remove any dirt and grime particles that may have become trapped in the fabric of the carpet.

When the turbine wears down or seizes up, the brushes may either spin more slowly or not at all. There then becomes a need to either clear up clogs that may exist within the turbine or to replace it altogether. Replacing the part is a bit more difficult these days as the parts are harder to get. Thankfully, there is a fix that can be implemented without the use of replacement parts.

Since the most likely explanation is that the turbine motor is restricted or seized, that is what we will focus on here. The fix is relatively simple, it just means that you will have to disassemble the turbine motor.

Before you begin. Grab your tools. You will need some WD-40, needle-nose pliers, and a screwdriver or two. All of these are relatively cheap and easy to find if you do not have them on hand already. Quick note: amateur DIYers out there should have all of these items in their toolbox. They are versatile and come in handy in a lot of situations.

Here is a step-by-step guide for accessing and then disassembling the turbine motor.

Now that the nozzle assembly has been properly removed, it is time to take the brushes out. Start by tipping the cleaner back so that you can more easily access the brushes. Give them a firm pull and they should pop out with no issue.

When the brushes have been removed, take a look at the drive pin. As mentioned above, there are times where the drive pin can become damaged and broken, leading to issues with the spinning brushes.

Check the brushes. So long as the drive pin is in good working condition, you can move on to the brushes themselves. Make sure that they spin freely, otherwise you will need to replace the brushes and try the whole thing again.

With the water out, it is time to flip the unit so that it is standing right side up. You will see 2 screws holding the top cover in place; remove them. It is important to note that the cover snaps on even when unscrewed, so grab the edges and firmly but gently lift.

Work slowly around the edges of the cover. If you pry too hard from one side, there is a chance that the cover could break. Keep working until the cover pops off entirely.

Turbine assembly. The turbine moto assembly is round and black, located at the front part of the unit. Take out the 3 screws that hold the turbine motor assembly in place. On the right-hand side, there should be a light-colored arm assembly. Make sure to take the spring that comes with it.

Turbine Motor. There are just a few more screws to go. Flip over the turbine motor and take out the 4 screws that hold the white drive gear cover. When the cover is removed, you then have access to the problem areas.

We are finally here. First, check to ensure that the turbine motor is able to spin freely. The most likely cause is that the bearings have seized up and will not move of their own volition. Check to ensure that the bearings are not damaged or broken. In that case, you will have to order replacement bearings before proceeding.

WD-40. Start by spraying a little bit of WD-40 on each of the bearings. You will have to work them free individually, grabbing with the pliers and twisting in each direction, back and forth. Start out with small movements as too much force could damage the bearings.

The bearings should free up relatively quickly. When you are confident that they move well on their own again, reassemble everything and try it again. If the problem persists, you will have to take everything apart once again and apply more WD-40.

Turbine assembly issues. If you have tried getting the bearings to move but still are not having success, there may be a broken component within the turbine assembly. It may be time to take the issue to a professional handyman or simply cut your losses and purchase a new cleaner. For the most part, though, you should be able to implement a DIY fix centered around the bearings.