Is your vacuum screaming across the floor? Squeaky wheels are common on the Shark Navigator. Learn which lubricant to use and where to spray to silence your machine.
A Shark Navigator is already loud enough. If you add high-pitched squeaking from the wheels, cleaning becomes a headache. Squeaky wheels happen when fine dust and pet hair get inside the wheel axle, drying out the factory lubrication.
Is your vacuum screaming across the floor? Squeaky wheels are common on the Shark Navigator. Learn which lubricant to use and where to spray to silence your machine.
- Symptoms: loud squeaking noise, wheels difficult to turn, marks on hardwood floors
- Tools: Silicone Spray or WD-40 Specialist, Paper Towel
- Difficulty: Easy
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The Wrong Way (Don’t Use Regular WD-40)
The biggest mistake owners make is spraying standard WD-40 Multi-Use into the wheels. Standard WD-40 is a degreaser, not a long-term lubricant. It will silence the squeak for 10 minutes, but then it will attract more dust, making the wheel seize up completely.
What to Use Instead:
- Dry Silicone Spray: Does not attract dust.
- White Lithium Grease: Stays in place and handles high friction.
Step-by-Step Silencing
- Flip and Clean: Turn the vacuum over. Use a pair of tweezers to pull out any hair tightly wrapped around the wheel axles (both the large rear wheels and the small front rollers).
- The Drop Method: Instead of spraying everywhere, put a single drop of lubricant exactly where the plastic wheel meets the metal axle.
- Spin It: Spin the wheel by hand for 30 seconds to work the lubricant into the bearing.
- Wipe Excess: Use a paper towel to wipe away any drips. Extra lubricant on the outside of the wheel will leave greasy streaks on your carpets!
When to Replace the Wheels
If the wheel has a “flat spot” from being dragged while stuck, lubrication won’t help. The vacuum will vibrate and make a “thumping” noise. If the axle is bent or the plastic is worn down to the metal, check out our Shark Navigator Wheel Replacement Guide.
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