In the picture on the left you can see how the Kirby vacuum nozzle lock screw is installed from the factory. It is not enough to simply put the new screw in. Removing fan case is inevitable. Then you will need to rest the head of the screw on a metal surface and press the fan case to compress the spring so screw will go in as far as it can. Then use a hammer to flatten other end so it would not come out. Sometimes the hole in the fan case is so worn that this may not work. Then you will need to purchase a new fan case. For those of you who like to do things around the house yourself here is the instructions how to save the old fan case:

NOTE: Use silicon sealant on the edges of the fan case to properly insulate Kirby sweeper fan. Remove old sealant when installing used fan case. To install the fan case hold motor unit vertically and lower fan case on the top of it like a lid.

To repair old fan case you will need following common tools:
• Drill
• Drill bit (metal) 9/32 or a bit bigger
• Drill bit (metal) 1/8 or a bit smaller
• T20 torx screwdriver (older Kirby vacuums - flat screwdriver)
• Hammer
• Center punch
• Vice

1.

Remove old screw out of the fan

2.

Use 9/32 drill bit (or slightly larger) to make the hole tapered through about a halve of the fan case thickness.

3.

Use 1/8 drill bit to drill into the end of the Kirby nozzle lock screw. Try to drill as close to the center as possible.

4.

Insert screw through spring, lever and into the fan case.

5.

Use center punch or other similar tool.

6.

This is how it will look after you are done.