Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
Dang it. I was having so much fun with this printer. Today I started a print for a battery holder and heard a very soft click when the carriage was in a specific part of the travel.
I let it run for an hour or so and the click became worse. I stopped the print and went over the printer with a fine tooth comb. Everything on the print head was fine.
I gently moved the print head right to left with the printer off and unplugged and reproduced the click in that specific spot.
On inspection the top rod of the x-axis has 3 grooves in it. Two on the top and one on the bottom back. The Chrome plating had flaked off in a few areas of the grooves.
This was a kit I purchased direct from Prusa which was delivered last Wednesday. I built it over the span of the day and followed the instructions to the letter.
when inserting the bearings I took great care and the rods slipped in smoothly with no issues and no bearing balls were lost on any of them.
I have sent a message off to customer service and hope to get this sorted out quickly. There is another thread about a similar issue. I hope this is not a common thing.
I have 15 spools of filament and lots of printing planned over the summer for me and my daughter.
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
Prusa neglects to tell users the bearings need to be cleaned and greased before use. Use chat and tell them you need new bearings and rods.
And before bouncing back with the assembly guide page that says the bearings come lubricated ready to use. They don't. Bearings come packed in a preservative. All manufacturers do this. Unless the bearings are purchased with a specific grease, and they will be labeled with the grease that was applied, they need to be degreased and packed with a suitable lubricant.
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
the question is then is the lubricant supplied by prusa sufficient for the bearings or is there an optimal lubricant?
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
The little tube of grease that comes with the printer is perfect for lubricating bearings and the smooth rods. It is also likely that you over-tightened the back of the extruder body, causing the bearing to be deformed and pressed into the rod. When you get your replacement bearings (the rod can be fixed with fine sand paper, but if you get new rods, ok too). Even with proper lubrication if you overtighten the back of the extruder, you'll be back with the same problem shortly. The extruder back needs to be tightened just enough, but no more.
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
I was really careful on the back plate of the extruded but I guess that is a potential issue. It is heavily scored in 3 different places so it will need to be replaced.
I’ll strip the whole thing down and get a tube of superlube and clean/lube all the bearings or get an extra tube of the prusa lubricant.
I will be even more careful with the top bearings when replaced. The challenging part will be getting the rods out of the holders. They were a pretty tight fit going in the first time.
I checked all the other bearings and rods and they appear fine.
looks to be a few hours of work to strip it down and do all the bearings. The dual bearings in the Y axis will be hard to get out. Any tips on those? Could I flush them with iso alcohol while in the PETG structure?
Do I need to fully flush them out or would it be ok to just add the prusa lube?
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
I had just the same issue months ago.
I got replacement as a warranty (rods & bearings), but while I wait for delivery (3 weeks), I made quick fix: First I loosen extruder bearing screws enough. Secondly I carefully turn X-axis rods by 15-20 degree, that bearing balls do not hit the groove. Then I lubricated bearings with PTFE oil as much as I can without removing bearings. This has been working so well that I haven't change bearings and rods yes. Them are waiting for next maintenance.
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
Secondly I carefully turn X-axis rods by 15-20 degree, that bearing balls do not hit the groove.
How did you do this? Im' trying to do it for the same reason and I'm unable to turn the rods.
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
@adesir
You may need to loosen from screws.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
@adesir
Clean the rods with IPA, then wrap enough gorilla tape to rods in both ends and using two pliers.
But then I realize that it could be much easier to just turn bearings after I loose the screws. I did this to lower rod.
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
Thank you. Trying it when the current print is finished. Two users for one printer...
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
@rob-12
SuperLube - or a good white lithium grease. I bought this last time around: didn't read the small print and each tube is like 8 ounces. Enough grease for a few dozen years - lol.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XY6QKS7
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
On the topic of lithium grease, anyone know of a good system with an applicator that is conventional to apply to printers?
I found one that might be a good choice:Lithium Grease.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
I used an ink pen to pack my first bearing - worked like a charm. Squirt grease in, insert pen and swirl.
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
@tim-2
Nifty idea. I will try it. Low tech but it should work.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
Prusa customer service got back to me. They indicated the screws were too tight on the extruder attachment to the x-axis. Since it was a self built kit this is not covered under warranty apparently. But due to this being an issue with many others and a pending update they are getting me some new parts.
I’m thankful they are looking into this and that they are updating the design.
They also recommended to rotate the rod. Clean and re-lube and re-do the calibration.
just doing a test print now.
when the parts come I’ll do a full tear down and clean/lube the bearings....
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
@adesir
You may need to loosen from screws.
Hmm. Someone said that.
I hope it works.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
@rob-12
Pending update - right; this has been an issue since the introduction of the Mk3S ... and the grease issue since they started selling kits.
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
@adesir
Ignore the chatter and try to adjust the screws.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Week old printer with clicking and scratches on the top rod of x axis
Yeah. Conflicting information in the manual vs community. I should have listened to the community.
I just realized the tip of the applicator is designed to lube the bearings.
At some point I’ll just do a full tear down and redo all the bearings with new lube/grease....
RE: Thanks
Posted by: @timo-savikoski
Clean the rods with IPA, then wrap enough gorilla tape to rods in both ends and using two pliers.
It worked, thanks ! I did not use gorilla tape, but rubber from a bicycle inner tube.