try what you have been told,it may work I worked as a service engineer for hoover for 20 years,this model has 4 screws underneath it ,you need to remove these,then you need to pry the top off ,its held in place by plastic lugs,underneath,you also need to remove the motor to replace the cable,very stupid design ,and don't cut 6 inches off,just two,
gts
February 2015
Ah - it's an upright. Cut away the plug and 6" of cord anyway - unless the cord has obvious damage.
Good luck...
February 2015
Don't know - you sometimes have to look for rubber bungs that cover screw holes...
I have yet to master cord wind mechanisms - three attempts and three failures.
However I've fixed about half a dozen cleaners by just replacing the mains plug and about six inches of cable - try it.
howtomendit.com for free repair help, information and advice.
Try fixfault.com to fix vacuum cleaners.