Kenmore service information
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Older sideload bobbin Insert a new needle into the machine (flat to the right). Bring the needle down to the bottom of its stroke by turning the hand wheel towards you. At the point when the needle is just starting back up, it should be positioned as shown.
The second check will confirm if the timing is on. Bring the needle up until the hook tip and needle meet. You should have a distance of approximately 3/32 of an inch between the needle eye and the hook tip.
If the needle/hook timing is off locate the adjusting hole behind the needle bar area.
Insert a screw driver into the access hole and loosen the screw on the needle bar block (1/2 turn). Move the needle bar up or down to have the hook tip and needle bar meet as shown. Tighten the needle bar block screw. Be sure to not twist the needle bar when you move it up or down. Recheck the timing.
Timing 158 seriesInsert a new needle into the machine. Turn the hand wheel towards you until it is in the lowest position. Set the machine to right needle position (or zigzag right side).
If the needle and hook do not meet as shown, the hook timing will have to be adjusted.
Loosen the screw as shown. Some models have a 5 sided nut which requires a special tool available through Sears. Carefully turn the hook until the needle and hook meet. Make sure the feed dogs are in the down position when the hook and needle meet. Tighten the screw and recheck the timing.
Timing 385 source front loadNeedle bar Height
Set the needle position to the far left position. Bring the needle to the lowest position. Slowly bring the needle up until the hook tip meets the needle as shown. The distance between the needle eye and the tip of the hook should be 2.9 - 3.5mm.
Hook timing
There are two ways to check the timing on your machine. In figure 1, set the machine on zigzag and bring the needle to its lowest point on the right hand zigzag. Bring the needle up to meet the hook. The hook should be just above the eye of the needle. In figure 2, set the machine to left needle position. From the lowest point bring the needle up to meet the hook. The needle bar should have moved up 1.45 - 1.95mm.
Adjusting Timing
Loosen the two screws on the hook drive shaft. Carefully move the hook to meet the needle as shown on previous page. Tighten the screws and recheck the timing. Feed Timing
To check the feed timing, line up the timing line on the main shaft with the screw on the feed eccentric. If they do not line up, loosen the screw on the eccentric and move the eccentric until they line up.
Timing 385 source drop-inTo check hook and feed timing start by inserting a new size 11 needle. Set the machine for left needle position. Turn the hand wheel to bring the needle down to the bottom of the stroke. Continue turning the hand wheel until the hook and needle meet as in fig. 1. The space between the hook tip and needle eye should be 1.6mm to 2.1mm.
If the hook and needle do not meet in the right position the timing will have to be adjusted.
First check the feed timing. Replace the needle plate and bring the needle down to plate level. The feed dogs should also be level with the needle plate. Correct by loosening the two Allen key screws shown in fig 2. Adjust the needle bar to correct and retighten the screws.
Loosen the two Allen key screws ¼ turn, fig 3. Carefully turn the hook to meet the needle as in fig. 1. Tighten the screws and recheck the timing.
Some models do not have screws and you must loosen the timing belt tensioner and move the timing belt one cog at a time to set feed timing checking after each adjustment, fig. 4.
Fine-tune the hook timing as in fig. 3
Check the hook for damage on the tip and around the edge.
Polish with fine sand paper being careful not to over polish.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig.4Tensions 158 seriesThe bobbin tension on your machine should not be too tight. When pulling the thread from the bobbin case you should feel a good amount of tension but not enough so you have to pull hard. When adjusting move the screw ¼ turn at a time and recheck the tension.
Remove the outer cap off the top tension unit by unscrewing the center screw.
Adjust the inner nut until the best tension is achieved.
The parts inside the outer dial are shown in order. Replace them as shown then replace the outer dial onto the tension stud with the red line at 4.5. This will give you the best range of adjustment once the dial is back together.
The tension you are trying to get is for the knot to form in the center of the fabric.
Tensions 385 seriesInsert a full bobbin into the bobbin case. When you pull the thread the tension should be 45 - 55g. It is very hard to measure grams of tension. You should feel some tension without having to pull too hard. If you hold the bobbin case by the thread and jerk it, the bobbin case should drop about ½ inch.
If the thread does not pull out easily, the tension is too tight. Turn the adjusting screw counterclockwise ¼ turn at a time until you get the desired tension.
If the thread pulls out quickly and you feel no tension, the tension is too loose. Turn the adjusting screw clockwise ¼ turn at a time to get the desired tension.
With the bobbin tension set, turn the top tension dial to a medium number. Stitch a test sample and check the results. The knot should meet in the center of the fabric.
If the tension is not as desired turn the adjusting nut up to increase and down to decrease the tension.
For heavier thread or fabric you may have to increase the top tension. For finer thread or fabric you may have to decrease the top tension.
