[Solved] how to replace broken extruder body  

Replacement Parts

Hi,

You can order a replacement from Prusa. Look for the Spare Parts tab on the main Prusa page.

how to replace broken extruder body

Posted by: @walleye

Hi,

You can order a replacement from Prusa. Look for the Spare Parts tab on the main Prusa page.

Hello,

Thank you for your answer. In fact the replacement was printed in black ABS before the definitive break down of the part. So the question would be about the procedure to replace the extruder body, that is, which parts have to be disassembled and which parts can be left in place in order to make the replacement. Maybe somewhere there is an appropriate guide with the steps. Wish you a nice day.

Looking forward to hearing from you, thank you and best regards.

A.R.

Look at the assembly manual, and go in reverse

There is quite an involved process, and the same manual that you would use to assemble the printer (if you bought the kit) is your best friend for figuring out how to reverse assemble the extruder.  In general broad strokes, take off the four screws holding the extruder chassis to the X rails - that will let you separate the extruder mechanism from the printer.  Follow the assembly instructions in reverse - you will need all of the tools that came with the printer (the different size and length allen wrenches).

The assembly manual is on line.  And you can probably purchase the paper copy from Prusa (the on-line version is more up to date).

I have not had to use any of it yet, but as this post points out, I think one of the best 'preventive' measures that anyone can do with the I3 series is to print spares of the extruder parts, those most likely to get damaged during a Blob Of Doom Meltdown.

I did this shortly after getting the machine, black ABS, and have the pieces in the 'crash kit' in the event of an issue.

I do have a spare print fan shroud in there, but since I printed the spares I have switched to a remixed one, printed in PC Blend.

instructions

I would follow the directions in reverse:

https://help.prusa3d.com/en/guide/5-e-axis-assembly-textile-sleeve_71288

You will not have to do it all, but read all of the instructions forward and backward before attempting.  

Check the upgrade instructios.

You could also follow the disassembly instructions in the upgrade section.

https://help.prusa3d.com/en/guide/2a-mk3-extruder-disassembly_182045

how to replace broken extruder body

Hello,

Thank you for all your answers and kind explanations. Apparently the only way is to fully disassemble the printing head. On the bright side this will be an opportunity to learn the procedure. Hopefully it will be possible to do it without unplugging all the cables. Wish you a nice day.

Looking forward to hearing from you, thank you and best regards.

A.R.

RE: how to replace broken extruder body

Sorry to dig up an old post, the exact same thing happened to my printer today, must be a weak spot. Just wondering how you got on replacing the extruder body?

I managed to glue mine so I could print a replacement. Even though I built my printer as a kit, I'm not looking forward to pulling it apart again, sigh... 

RE: how to replace broken extruder body

in 2016 a roll of filament fell off the grotty filament spool holder of My Mk1 printer. it collided with the Y Motor and snapped the printed bracket, 
Like you, I Glued it back together and the first thing I Did was to print two stronger replacement parts, one for the damaged machine and one for a second machine that was awaiting assembly. 

when I assembled the second machine, I fitted the alternative part and that is still working well, 
Like you, 
I didn't fancy disassembling the repaired machine at that time, so I Kept the part in a drawer under the printer until such time as the repaired part failed totally, or I was doing  a significant upgrade...     the repaired part has neve been visited by another roll of filament, it has never broken and the spare part is still in the drawer...

that printer is now  a Mk2 printer with MMU1... however neither the Mk2 upgrade, nor the MMU1 upgrade required the main frame to be disassembled...  

if you have a mk3S, you may consider the Mk3S+ parts for replacement, or you may consider a mk3.9 upgrade in preference to simply rebuilding what you already have.

regards Joan

RE: how to replace broken extruder body

Posted by: @joantabb

if you have a mk3S, you may consider the Mk3S+ parts for replacement, or you may consider a mk3.9 upgrade in preference to simply rebuilding what you already have.

Thanks for the suggestions. I did the MK3 - MK3S upgrade a few years ago. I don't do a lot of printing so I'll just swap out the broken piece. An extra costly upgrade just isn't worth it for me at the moment.

RE: how to replace broken extruder body

and...   that's why I Still have a Mk2 MMU1 in my workshop!    🙂

Good luck.

Regards Joan