Shoutout to using a paperclip to fix my vacuum cleaner's height lever

Everyone says you need to buy a whole new adjustment assembly when the lever snaps... but I tried bending a paperclip into a tiny hook and wedging it into the broken plastic slot. It took like 10 minutes and some pliers from my toolbox. That was 6 months ago and the lever still clicks into place on carpet and hardwood just fine. My neighbor laughed when I showed him, but he's already asked me to fix his too. Why waste $30 on a replacement part if a paperclip can do the job? Has anyone else lucked out with office supplies for appliance repairs?

3 comments

3 Comments

wade25020d ago

Wouldn't a proper repair last longer than a paperclip though?

sage_moore3720d ago

You said "proper repair" and I get where you're coming from, but a paperclip is actually a proper repair for the little spring clip that holds the door handle return spring in place. I've fixed three older Ford trucks this exact way and they've held for years. The trick is to bend the paperclip into the exact same shape as the original clip, then use needle nose pliers to press it in tight. If you try to buy the actual OEM part, half the time it's discontinued anyway and you're stuck with some cheap aftermarket that breaks in six months. Have you ever tried finding that part for a 90s model?

karenb9719d agoMost Upvoted

Three older Ford trucks fixed with paperclips? That's wild, I can't believe you've been driving around on office supplies for that long.