Another day of my life that I will NEVER get back. While this forray into vacuum cleaner repair was moderately successful, it sure would have been nice to be able to wander down to the vacuum cleaner parts store and just buy this part without all the drama. Yes, the Home Depot hose did work, it’s not exactly the same size but it’s usable (don’t bother with Lowes. It doesn’t work). You have to buy 6’ of washing machine drain hose, otherwise noted in this atricle, but you’ll be neeeding it, trust me. Apparently the Shark Corporation has decided that you should buy a new vacuum once a year, and that may be the way we go going forward. My wife really likes it and that’s the end game here, i’m stuck. I spent a total of about 6 hours on this. It’s not likely that I will be doing it again without a steak dinner and a really nice trail of rose petals leading…. well….. that way…