iRobot Roomba 570 Gearbox Problem Resolved

The folks at iRobot have been busy listening to their customers and improving their product. The new generation of Roombas have a head cleaning module with a sealed gearbox. The best part is that it is retro-fittable into the older generation roombas.

Check these links to read more about the recent changes..

http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8806

http://www.robotreviews.com/chat/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11459

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• irobot
• roomba
• 560
• 570
• 530
• problem
• gearbox
• head
• cleaning
• module
• robot
• vacuum
• cleaner
• hoover
• palebluecitizen

[TheMightyMing1]

If i had a design fault with my car, and it was called back. The problem would be fixed for free. I think your taking the piss along with irobot for even suggesting that people should pay extra for a design fault.

[PaleBlueDotCitizen]

I agree, but they weren't going to send me a replacement for free so what was I going to do? Sue them for $40?

[myownstarbucks]

@videogameobsession

Sorry to hear about your problem. I have since contacted iRobot and they offered me 20% discount-same deal. I refused to accept and told them I would contact the FTC and let them determine if it is a fraud to charge customers over and over again for a faulty design when they should have replace it for free. I received a higher level call from them and offered me 30% discount which I also refused. They then sent me the green replacement for free. You may try the same thing.

[fieldcat8]

I purchased a used iRobot 560 and it didn't work to well, light kept going red. So I watched your video, cleaned the unit and took apart the gearbox...some hair and dirt, not bad. BUT when I cleaned the gearbox, I'm afraid I wiped most of the grease off with the cleaning cloth. What type or do you know the name of a grease I can reapply to the gears in the box? I had to reset the battery and wait for 72 hrs to know if all my work paid off...so I have time to hear from you. Thxs for ur help

[videal10]

thank goodness this robot prevents all that annoying cleaning

i hear irobot have made a robot to clean the first robot only £499.99 yay!

[Heliboy1968]

PaleBlueDotCitizen How about an update on the bearing module. A year later and they're still putting out the all plastic gearbox. I just picked mine up and I tend to agree with you that this product is not designed properly for rugs. Rug = Roomba destroyer. I'm just using it on my hard floor and keeping an eye on things until I figure something out.

[yojimboe]

How much did they pay you to post this "happy customer" video?

[videogameobsession]

I contacted iRobot and they are sending out another gearbox. They told me the newer, black gearbox has been discontinued.. which is too bad since I've heard it fixes this problem.

The good news is that they told me about a new upgrade. It's called an

AERO VAC DUST BIN.

"It maximizes airflow to not only pull additional hair and debris off Roomba's brushes, but also guide the debris to the back of the bin,allowing you to empty it less often"

$35 is reasonable if it fixes this once and for all.

[videogameobsession]

@myownstarbucks Thanks for the advice. This will be the second time I am asking for a replacement though. The last time it took me several emails. I snapped some pictures for proof this time.

img.photobucket(dot)com/albums­/v226/spoonmanx/personal/Roomb­a_Gearbox_Flaw-01.jpg

& .... Roomba_Gearbox_Flaw-01.jpg

I also told them I want the black revision that addresses the problems and not the green one (which is what I have now). I wish they would just fix this once and for all.

[myownstarbucks]

@FriscoPhotoJoe

Sorry to hear about your problem. I have since contacted iRobot and they offered me 20% discount (same deal). I refused to accept and told them I would contact the FTC and let them determine if it is a fraud to charge customers over and over again for a faulty design when they should have replace it for free. I received a higher level call from them and offered me 30% discount which I also refused. They then sent me the green replacement for free. You may try the same thing.

[videogameobsession]

@bicepsnl Nope.. My green gearbox just bit the dust! Only used for less than 6 months on a hardware floor, small apartment. hair & dirt still gets in through the hole and it melts everything. iRobot is the worst company to deal with.

[videogameobsession]

@myownstarbucks I agree. I'm on a second dead gearbox. I have hardwood floors and a tiny apartment and still within a few months I end up with hair in the gearbox and melted plastic. How are they getting away with this? People shouldn't be shelling out another $50 for a future headache. This is ridiculous!

They are refusing that it's a defect on their part and to make things worse they are making a ton of money from it! Contact BBB and wait for the CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.. All I can suggest.