iRobot Roomba 870 Bumper Sensor Replacement

Introduction

Is your Roomba not able to sense surrounding obstacles, preventing it from avoiding such barriers? If so, here is the guide to fix the problem with a simple change of the bumper sensor. All you need are the standard #0 and #1 Phillips Screwdriver heads in order to remove the two types of screws involved with this replacement.

What you need

Step 1 Bumper Sensor

iRobot Roomba 870 Bumper Sensor Replacement, Bumper Sensor: step 1, image 1 of 2

iRobot Roomba 870 Bumper Sensor Replacement, Bumper Sensor: step 1, image 2 of 2

Flip the iRoomba over so that the underside is facing up.
Using the Phillips #0 screwdriver, remove the 4.0 mm screw in the center of the yellow side brush.
Remove the yellow side brush.

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Step 2

iRobot Roomba 870 Bumper Sensor Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

Remove the two 3.5 mm Phillips screws that hold the battery cover onto the Roomba with a Phillips #0 screwdriver.
Remove the battery cover.

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Step 3

iRobot Roomba 870 Bumper Sensor Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

Remove the two remaining 3.5 mm Phillips #0 screws that attach the base-plate to the bottom of the Roomba.
Remove the entire base-plate from the bottom of the Roomba.

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Step 4

iRobot Roomba 870 Bumper Sensor Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

Remove the ten 3 mm screws that attach the bumper guard to the bumper with a Phillips #1 screwdriver.
Remove the bumper guard.

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Step 5

Be careful when removing the bumper from the Roomba to prevent damage to the sensor wires. Remove slowly!
Lift up the Roomba so that its bumper is not resting on anything, and slowly separate the bumper from the device.

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Step 6

iRobot Roomba 870 Bumper Sensor Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

Remove the two 3 mm screws that attach the sensor connector to the bumper/sensor with a #1 Phillips Screwdriver.
Carefully detach the sensor connector from the bumper and the sensor.

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Step 7

The sensor is now loose on the bumper. Be careful not to rapidly move the bumper for fear of dislodging the sensor and breaking it.
Flip the bumper over, ensuring the sensor remains inside the sensor compartment.
Gently remove the bumper from the black infrared sensor.