Help Needed: One Last Fix Universal 5510
 

You people are probably getting tired of hearing about my rehab of this machine. But, I've gotten and really appreciate lots of good advice that I've gotten. Everything now works and my wife loves how it sews. I'd like to do one more thing.
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The knob around the outside of the reverse button, as shown in the picture, is plastic. It seems that it has gotten detached from whatever is holding it to the actual stitch length mechanism and it is very loose. It still functions, but there's about 1/8 turn worth of slop when turning it back and forth. If I could remove the darn thing, I'm pretty sure I could find a way to secure it. But, for the life of me, I can't figure out how to get it off. There is no set screw. I tried gently prying, but don't want to break it. The plate that it's mounted on appears to be pressed into the body, as I don't see any way to remove it either. It seems like I've seen this set-up, or something very similar, on a lot of the badged Japanese machines of that era. Anyone have any good ideas for me on how to get that knob off and the whole thing disassembled?

Thanks,
Noel

Noel,

Remove the access plate that is on the right side around and/ or the hand wheel. So you can try approaching the knob from behind.

Cathy

Hi Cathy --

I tried that and there is only the extending/retracting shaft coming out of a hole in the back of the mounting plate. The business end of the mechanism is all on the outside of the body. Nothing to get at from the back (inside).

Thanks,
Noel

Some times there are thingies behind the knob that are stuck and don't move - if they are one direction the knob freezes up and won't move or if it is stuck the other direction the knob turns freely. So you need to remove the panel and look behind the knob for the thingies the knob was suppose to be turning and oil them with Tri-flow and free them up so things will move. It may also be that the knob is turning on the shaft and not hitting the thingie. In that case I'm just as stuck as you are - I have one like that. Mine may have a set screw that can help remove the knob, grind out a flat spot on the shaft and be returned after the thingy in the back works.

Thanks Miriam --

Both the reverse button and the stitch length knob were frozen solid when I got this machine. Penetrating oil, lube, elbow grease and heat got them functioning well and smoothly. I suspect that in trying to get the knob to turn, a previous user broke off a "thingy" inside. I can turn the knob both directions and feel the thingies making contact and then turning the mechanism. It's the slop and the fact that the numbers don't correspond to the actual position that's the irritating me. You can see it in the picture -- the "4" should be in the straight up position, not cocked over to 2:00. I guess I could leave well enough alone, since it all works, but it bugs me to have it not be right after all this effort. My wife has learned to deal with it and says it's fine. But, it cuts against my grain to not do this last thing. So close...

(Sorry about the multiple posting on the pics. I'm still trying to figure that out too.)

Noel

I can not see all of the pictures. Some times it is good to learn when to quit.

Thanks Miriam,

The advice is well taken. Unless someone else has done this fix and can tell me exactly how they did it, I'm done. I'd hate to give up, but without real clear direction, I'm afraid I can only do more damage than good at this point.

Noel

Even if I have done it they vary from one machine to another so much - it is almost intuitive - do what you are comfortable doing. Some times less is more.