WoW I'm impressed!!! I have one I opened up - a gear fell out - different gear though.

The procedure should be similar to remove and install the new one.
Let us know if we can help. Blessings! http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/icons/icon7.png

This just happened to me today. I was so proud of this estate sale find. It was sewing along perfectly and it just stopped. I looked inside and the lower of the two plastic gears is shredding. Glad I found this thread. I'm willing to give it a try. Thanks for the information.

Would you believe I found ANOTHER one for $7 and it has the same problem? At least now I know how to fix it.

Looks like you have done some hard thinking on a 457 stylist. My problem is hand wheel hard to turn. Lubricated still no help. Gear in good shape. Everything is turning in the hook assembly but I wonder if some thread is wound up under assembly. Any thoughts. Told a friend I'd could probably fix it for her. Also I was wondering as I don't know the machine but the thumb wheel that you select zig zag or blind stitch turns all the time when I turn hand wheel. Is that normal.

I had one machine that had thread wrapped around and around and around the handwheel shaft. I discovered it when I took off the hand wheel. I can understand, from the placement of the bobbin winder on the machine how it would happen. I'd say just keep checking for gunk or thread or lint.

I've learned to look for something simple before you start tearing stuff apart. Your advice things true. I did pull off the hand wheel. I need to look a little closer though as the winder is right in the path.

Closer look and that wasn't it. Dang I am stumped. Why does it turn so hard? Not sure what to do to isolate the tightness.

You want to be very careful. If anything gives when those machines are tight, it will be the plastic gear. You will need to be sure to use Triflow oil and put a drop on anything that remotely moves. Give it a few minutes then turn the machine upside down or side ways or the other side - in other words, reposition the machine a couple times - You will need to oil way up in the inside of the machine - anything that remotely moves will need a couple drops of oil. Be patient - I've had one that took a month of setting to get the oil to penetrate into some little stuck up joint. Very gently try to turn it after it has set awhile. I say gently because of the gear. If you want to tackle changing the gear someone wrote some instructions and posted one QB somewhere how to do it. It isn't all that hard looks like. It is the dried up oil in some remote part that you can't see is your problem - not the stuff you can see.

I've got a can of tri flow and I will try systematically hitting rotating points. The machine sat for a long time so it would only make sense.

I would not spray that stuff inside a sewing machine - use one drop on the part that moves and one drop on the next.

Bezzer,

I just found this thread. Several months ago I had to replace the top vertical shaft gear on two Singer 413s. Same exact gear as the Singer 457 that started this thread. I was told to set the gear so there is no play in the shaft after the new gear is installed. The thing is, if you get the gear too tight on the shaft, in other words zero end play, you will or can run into a tight feeling machine like you describe. I followed the instructions I was given and got the machine so tight the motor could hardly turn it. I realized there has to be some free play in that shaft or it will bind.

I don't know that this is your machines problem, but it's something to consider after you have oiled everything. The only way to loosen it, IF that is the problem is to pull the plastic side plate off, stick in a bit or screw driver and loosen the set screws without rotating the machine. If it's too tight it will loosen up after the screws are loosened up and retightened. At least that's what mind did.

Joe

When I turn the handwheel the knurled wheel that selects zig zag or blind stitch turns with it. That doesn't seem right. Maybe a clue to the stiffness as it is in the horizontal shaft.

This in response to post about stylist 457 that bobbin is not moving. I have the same problem. I changed the small gear and moved the timing belt but can't figure out about the timing. I notice the circular cap under the machine and hook doesn't seem to have screws in in it. I'd appreciate understanding the way to check the timing hook connection. Thanks, Seanne

Timing
 

I got to change the piece but i don't understand how to time it as English is not my first language, is there any way you can put pics for me as a guide??? I will really appreciate it.

http://www.singersewinginfo.co.uk/457gear/ has a good explanation and some good pictures. The timing is really simple once you know how the machine works.

Hi All,

This is a great thread! Thank you!!!

I just completed gear replacement and timing on my 457 but the needle
position lever is sort of "off" by one notch. The needle is centered but
the selector is on "R". If I move the lever to "C", the needle will move left.

I can't do zig-zag becuase the needle will hit the presser foot and break.

I purchased the service manual but I am having a hard time understanding
the procedure for adjusting the needle position selector. No matter what I do
I can't seem to center the needle with the lever on "C".

I also have the "bobbin rattle" that <misseva> mentioned some time ago.

Sews great in straight-stitch! Thanks in advance for any help!

Reiney

love this thread! just bought this model for 3 dollars. wondered why it was such a bargain price. lol saw the gear and went, "thats totally why."

Sounds like the timing is off. Or, like stated before, the needle is not correct. Book says the groove in the needle faces you. If you do everything as stated in the manual, then take it to a professional. You will need timing adjusted. I fiddldled with a machine for a long time, only to learn timing was the problem. You will need help if this is the case.

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You might check to see if the gears are OK, if they are plastic they might be worn out. There are 2 gears underneath that work the feed dogs and the bobbin area. The knob is for raising and lowering the feed dogs. It also looks like your bobbin winder in is the winding position. Move it to the left for sewing and to the right for winding the bobbin.

my new little machine doesnt have the drop feed dogs. I know it has a broken gear and it is on order. :-) I figured for three bucks it was basically a steal. the gear was about 7 with free shipping on ebay. so all in all i got the machine for 10. I was wondering if this motor needed oil and how to go about doing it. considering it isnt a bolt on motor.