How to disassemble a 5000 base? - Vitamix 5000 Work Top Blender

The screws are hidden underneath the feet, and they just pull out. This video shows complete disassembly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ0by1BYRt4

..

Replace the blade assembly, it comes complete with the bearings which is where the grease is coming from.

The hex wrench only fits in one position, there is a groove in the lip in the top housing and you need to turn the coupling until the hex screw head lines up. The groove is normally plugged with a dob of white silicone. The hex screw is not tightened fully tight on reassembly, the coupling needs a bit of slop.

Sounds like your drive socket broke. Use a small allen wrench to loosen set screw under arrow on drive socket. You will have to order a new socket from Vitamix. Hope this helps.

Here is the most helpful Fixya article so far:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t6032529-need_replace_speed_control

Is it getting hot when you operate it? If you run a mixer for a long
time, the motor will get very warm. On the older units, when the
motor overheats, the various parts of the motor and its container
may start to melt. Mixer motors are not designed to last forever and
a replacement motor may be available from the manufacturer.
Another way is to purchase another similar mixer as you can on
eBay and swap parts.

Hi,
Disassemble the base from the jar, and check the placement of the gasket. Reassembly, with the jar upside down is gasket, blades, then base. While disassembled, rotate the blades by hand just to make sure that they aren't in a bind. Replace if defective.

--W/D--

Replace the part. Repair of the broken part is impossible to make reliably.

Replacement will take a bit of disassembly.

Make sure the gasket is fully seated and not uneven before you re-assemble the base and blade unit.

Their website has replacement parts:

http://www.focuselectrics.com/catalog.cfm?dest=itempg&itemid=3635&secid=53&linkon=category&linkid=82