Rug Doctor Spray Button Replacement

Written By: Arthur Shi

Comments: 8

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 50 minutes

Introduction

This guide shows how to remove and replace the spray button on a Rug Doctor. The handle must be detached from the body and opened up in order to remove the button.

Tools

Parts

Rug Doctor Spray Switch 51160

Step 1

Before you begin disassembly, make sure that the Rug Doctor is not plugged in and that all reservoirs are empty of liquids.
Unclip the clear hose from the back of the Rug Doctor.

Include the part number of the c shaped plate.

JAMES -

Step 2

Use a 7/16" (11 mm OK) wrench to hold the handle axle while you use a 7/16" socket to remove the cap nut securing the axle end.

Step 3

Support the handle with one hand. It will be loose after this step.
Use fingers or pliers to pull out the handle axle.
If the axle feels hard to pull out, squeeze the handle release lever to release pressure on the axle.

Step 4

Detach the handle from the Rug Doctor and set it down.
If you need more cable slack, you can set the Rug Doctor on its side.

Step 5

Uncoil the power cable from the handle.
Remove the sixteen Phillips fasteners of the following lengths:
Six 22.7 mm machine screws
Four 35.3 mm machine screws
Two 25.2 mm (thicker) machine screws
Two 48.4 mm bolts with washers
When reinstalling these, the order should be: bolt, washer, handle, washer, 3/8" nut.
Two 30.1 mm screws

Step 6

Separate the bottom edge of the handle slightly until the spring-loaded plunger pops out of its socket.

Step 7

Re-assembly tip—Follow this step to re-seat the plunger.
Use your fingers to push the black plunger down towards the bottom of the handle into position. This may take significant force.
Once the plunger slips into position, squeeze the the two handle halves together.
If done correctly, the handle should close tightly without a gap and lock the plunger in place.
If that doesn't happen, check to see if the plunger is properly positioned, and that no wires are pinched.
Continue squeezing the two handle halves together while you reinstall the handle's lower screws.

Step 8

Remove the two 11.4 mm long Phillips screws holding the cover plate on the handle.
Remove the cover plate.

Step 9

Use a pair of pliers to grasp the lip of the screw post close to the handle release lever.
While gripping the screw post, use a large flathead screwdriver to remove the machine screw mated to the other end of the screw post.

when removing these for the first time you may find it hard to grasp one end and unscrew the other side. i ended up cutting one of the heads to get it off. locktite used was green, and just replaced with new screw post without using same locktite.

LUIS -

Just order Rug Doctor Complete Handle 12672 for the whole hadle assembly. This is not worth the time trying to get it off. Using taps, drill bits, vices, anything to try and hold the bald headed side stationary will still cause it to slip, and on the flat head side the channal isnt deep enough for the screw drivers causing it to easily slip and strip the head.

ERIC -

One way to remove the 'carriage' type fastener, is to take a Dremel and notch a slot like for a standard screwdriver. I've been fairly successful in using this workaround.

JERRY -

Step 10

Pull the two handle halves apart.

Step 11

Re-assembly tip—Before you close the handle, check the following:
The lever mechanism components are properly stacked and oriented as shown.
Both brass bushings are in their sockets.

Step 12

Note how the switch is wired:
Red and black wires on the top sockets (order does not matter)
Two white wires on the bottom sockets
Use fingers or pliers to wiggle and pull the four connectors from the switch module.

Step 13

Use fingers or wide pliers to squeeze the black retainer tabs on each side of the button module.
While squeezing, wiggle and push the button module out of the front of the handle.
Remove the button module.
To install a replacement button, push the button in through the top of the handle until it clicks in place. It should not be loose or easily budged.

This is a terrible idea. The easy way would be to use a small flat head screw driver to pry out the switch. See where the wires go. There are two white wires on one side and a black and a red ones that go on the other. Replace the wires and fit the new switch in it's place. That's it. However, usually the wires are really short and it may be hard to get them out enough to fit them on the new one. In this case you will need to undo the strain relief at the bottom of the handle and feed it up into opening. That is the easy way out.

Abdul Satar Janmohamed -

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order while noting the re-assembly tips.

Author

Arthur Shi

Member since: 03/01/18

248651 Reputation

3 comments

Remove the power cables strain relief at the handle for slack, not the 16 screws to split the handle. That takes all day and one time you will lose a screw or 2 or 4.

NICHOLAS - 13/06/20

could not use pliers, label was as thick as face on head, will end up replacing whole handle assembly, bad choice for fastener

JOSEPH -

cut a notch in the fastener with a dremel to get out the handle bolt

JEREMY -