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X Axis Binding - Replace Bearings or Something Else?  

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cbryancan
(@cbryancan)
New Member
X Axis Binding - Replace Bearings or Something Else?
I have a mk3s+ and have recently been having trouble with the X Axis binding, causing layer shifting and now the machine won't even pass a belt test.
 
A couple of days ago I had a huge shift in the middle of a print. When I restarted the print, the extruder went all the way to the right, then went down and crashed into the heatbed. The extruder seemed to bind on the x axis as I tried to slide it. I took apart the entire extruder (including taking it off the linear bearings), greased the rods, and reassembled everything.
 
The printer worked great for my next couple prints, about 8 hours. Then I tried a print overnight and found it crashed again. Fail report showed 21 X crashes. Now the extruder is binding on the X axis again.  I tried greasing it again and loosening the back part in case the bearings were compressed.  Previously when trying a belt test the extruder would move on the x axis a short distance (maybe 10 cm) before failing. Now the x axis won't move at all. Here is a link to a video of a belt test. https://photos.app.goo.gl/z4WW9dzj4VSEtAuJ6&source=gmail&ust=1613755626610000&usg=AFQjCNFMvjp5sHtSg585OOFHofCCnKO3G g"> https://photos.app.goo.gl/z4WW9dzj4VSEtAuJ6  
 
You can see that I can't even move the extruder with one hand unless I brace against the frame. 
 
Any idea what is causing this?  Do I need to replace the bearings? Something else?
 

Best Answer by cbryancan:

Replaced the motor today and it's back to working perfectly.

Posted : 18/02/2021 5:35 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: X Axis Binding - Replace Bearings or Something Else?

If the bearings are too far gone then yes you will need to replace them. However when re-lubricating you pack the bearings themselves with grease, you don’t grease the rails as that doesn’t do too much. The bearings have seals that keep stuff in and out so you need to put it into the bearings. Oiling the rods with a light oil and working it past the seal is a temporary stop gap measure though that can work for awhile. 

Posted : 18/02/2021 8:50 pm
cbryancan liked
cbryancan
(@cbryancan)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: X Axis Binding - Replace Bearings or Something Else?

I pulled the extruder off again and the bearings seem fine to me.  I don't have a frame of reference for them feeling perfect, but they don't seem to bind and all 3 seem to work fine. 

Now I'm thinking maybe the stepper motor is bad, because it seems to move smoothly until I connect the belt. Is there any way to directly test the motor?

Posted : 18/02/2021 9:01 pm
Diem
 Diem
(@diem)
Illustrious Member
RE: X Axis Binding - Replace Bearings or Something Else?

@cbryancan

Have you checked the idler bearing?

Cheerio,

Posted : 19/02/2021 5:03 pm
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cbryancan
(@cbryancan)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: X Axis Binding - Replace Bearings or Something Else?

@diem

Thanks for the suggestion.  I just checked and it feels completely smooth. 

I took the stepper off today and when I spin it in my hand it slightly "catches" in a couple of spots. Nothing I can't push past, but not totally smooth. So I'm hoping replacing the stepper fixes this.

Posted : 19/02/2021 5:32 pm
cbryancan
(@cbryancan)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: X Axis Binding - Replace Bearings or Something Else?

Replaced the motor today and it's back to working perfectly.

Posted : 22/02/2021 9:45 pm
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