There are two screws hidden below the grey plastic foot release for the cord. The plastic foot release plate is held in place by three plastic tabs; one placed in the center and the other two approximately 1-1/2 inches either side of it. With the vacuum placed horizontally on its wheels, insert a medium screwdriver vertically in the gap between the blue body of the case and the grey foot release. Gently twist the screwdriver to pry away the blue vertical body of the case adjacent to the three tabs. In this way you can remove the release plate.
Doug
December 2007