Sorry, not much you can do about that without a Kirby specific spring winding tool. The metal part that the handle slots in to has a small lug that sometimes breaks off after many years use. There are three slots in the round part in the middle of that unit and when the spring unit is wound up the lug (which in your case will have broken off ) locks in to one of those slots.The spring is actually inside the motor housing. Its a very small part that needs replacing, but its a good 20 mins job even with the correct tools... I would say it would be almost impossible without.. If it is too annoying you would have to find an authorised Kirby service centre I imagine, as other Vac repairers probably wouldnt have that tool.. An alternative would to be to look for a second hand Legend or Heritage and take that motor housing and stick it on your machine, spring already wound up ! There are plenty of second hand Kirbys around for sale.... I for one have lots of old ones in my garage which I would be glad to find a good use for..
GJ
June 2011
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