My Kenmore canister vacuum model 116.27612690 has a tangled cord and I can't get the cord rewind pedal off to get to the third screw to remove the top cover. I've looked at sears parts diagram but there's not enough detail.

Tom, March 2007

Depress the retraction pedal and look into the gap between the pedal and the main housing. There are tabs at each end and two near the center. Each tab needs to be bent toward the front of the machine at the bottom of each tab while prying the pedal carefully away frome the main housing. This will release the pedal.

Gregg and Patty, December 2008

Tom,

If it is anything like the sears powermates I have worked on, you have to pry each side inward with a screwdriver and lift up at the same time. Just don't go 'nuts' but use a screwdriver wide enough to put pressure across a large area.

Dr. Geno, May 2007