Idler clicking, failed prints, filament won't load
So the past few days my prints have started failing. I'm pretty sure I have been hearing the clicking previous to this too. Yesterday some prints failed and I just gave up. Today I tried to do a print and no filament was coming out so I paused the print and tried to unload the filament, when I got a horrible screeching and grinding noise coming from the extruder.
I loosened the idler all the way, heated up and pulled the filament out fine. I blew out a little bit of dust that had built up in there and then tried to move the extruder axis from the settings when the idler is loosely on and the side door to the idler and the idler screw start clicking back and forth. Below is a video of this. If anyone has any ideas on what is causing this I would be extremely grateful. Cheers.
https://forum.prusa3d.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/video-1556969040.mp4
RE: Idler clicking, failed prints, filament won't load
Without a look behind the closed door it's hard to tell. It looks like the idler gear is stuck. Perhaps its axis aligned properly anymore and fell out of the holder on the door?
RE: Idler clicking, failed prints, filament won't load
When the door isn't closed the gear inside can move fine. The gear on the door that opens out doesn't really move much though. Should it? And if not do you know a good way to fix that?
RE: Idler clicking, failed prints, filament won't load
Ok I've gotten it back working. The gear on the door was quite stiff so I took it out and looked inside but there wasn't anything jamming it. When I put it together again it was a little smoother and I tightened the idler a lot more than before and now it's extruding fine.
RE: Idler clicking, failed prints, filament won't load
When the door isn't closed the gear inside can move fine. The gear on the door that opens out doesn't really move much though. Should it? And if not do you know a good way to fix that?
Yes, the gear that's mounted to the door should be turning absolutely freely. It's got needle bearings that should ideally be greased (Lithium grease, NLGI 1-2) and the axle it's on should be properly inserted in the door and supported on both sides. It's also recommended to grease the teeth that mesh to the other Bondtech gear with the same grease to avoid flaking and rust. Make sure none of the grease gets on the hobbed area that moves the filament, though.