Thread Feeder Roller Replacement

The thread feeder roller has a rubber pad applied to the rim that wears out overtime and is sometimes damaged through machine failure or improper thread loading. The roller is easily replaced.

A damaged thread feeder roller causes the thread to catch or fail to feed properly. Replace the thread feeler roller when damaged (wear to the rubber pad or impressions from the thread feeder arm is present)

Replacement Parts Needed:

1 - thread feeder roller (for each roller in assembly that needs replaced)
1 - thread feeder cover (only if old ones are broken or damaged)

Replacement Procedure:

Lift the thread feeder lever.
Remove the thread feeder front cover, carefully using your fingernails or a screwdriver.
Using your finger or a dull plastic object, such as a plastic spoon handle, coffee stirrer, etc., press gently on the thread feeder gear to carefully rotate the roller.
As you rotate the roller, inspect it for wear, nicks, or a groove in the rubber (the figure to the right displays a roller with a groove in the rubber). Also check the roller for dust, lint, oil, or grease accumulation. Please note that it is possible for rollers to become coated with silicone (from certain threads, such as rayon thread). This silicone makes the surface of the roller very slick and needs to be removed.
If the roller needs to be cleaned, remove any dust or lint with your fingers. If you need to remove oil or grease, use a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. The roller can also be removed to be cleaned (see the next step for instructions).
If the roller is worn or damaged it will need to be removed and replaced with a new roller (Melco PN 30615-02). To remove the roller, using two thin bladed flat screw drivers, carefully pry the roller out of the assembly (as shown in the figure to the right) until you can pull it out easily with your fingers. Once the roller is pried out enough to grab onto it with your fingers, pull it the rest of the way out.
Locate a new roller if you have determined the roller needs to be replaced. If the roller does not need to be replaced, you can re-install the roller you removed. Make sure that the hub of the roller has some grease on it, as shown in the picture.
Align the roller in place as shown in the image to the right, and push it all the way in until it snaps into place.
Re-install the cover by moving the thread out of the way and inserting the top end of the cover into the slot at the top of the thread feeder assembly and then pushing it into the assembly until it snaps back into place as shown in the top image to the right. Make sure the thread is centered (critical) over the thread feeder front cover as shown in the lower image to the right.
Rethread the machine if necessary, make sure the thread is centered in the grooves on the thread feeder front cover as shown in the above figure, and push the thread feeder lever back down.