brushes easy to check tilt the machine back to 45 degrees , ask the wife to hold it just incase ! looking underneath you can see the rear of the motor the brushes are in holders on either side of the motor, about 1.5 inches long, black with a spade attached. They're generally held on by two 5.5 mm bolts remove the bolts and the holders will lift off if the brushes are down to 0.25 inch or less they need replacing.
jim
November 2007