After worrying that I needed to much force to get the gear into the barrel in the extruder body, I noticed that the bearings on the back side were protruding very slightly into the barrel, and were interfering with the gear. Loosening the 4mm bolts that hold these bearings in place permitted the bearings to shift slightly and allowed the gear to slide in (still requiring some force, but nothing extreme). Once the gear was in, I tightened the 4mm bolts. The bearings are still touching the gear but their final position is guided by the presence of the gear, and everything seems to be aligned nicely now. I would add two comments to the procedure:
1) Before going too far (i.e., even prior to installing the bearings) make sure the gear can slide into its barrel freely. It should not rub… the only interference should come from the bearings, later, when they are installed.
2) Install the bearings but do not tighten their bolts fully until after the gear/motor has been installed.
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After worrying that I needed to much force to get the gear into the barrel in the extruder body, I noticed that the bearings on the back side were protruding very slightly into the barrel, and were interfering with the gear. Loosening the 4mm bolts that hold these bearings in place permitted the bearings to shift slightly and allowed the gear to slide in (still requiring some force, but nothing extreme). Once the gear was in, I tightened the 4mm bolts. The bearings are still touching the gear but their final position is guided by the presence of the gear, and everything seems to be aligned nicely now. I would add two comments to the procedure:
1) Before going too far (i.e., even prior to installing the bearings) make sure the gear can slide into its barrel freely. It should not rub… the only interference should come from the bearings, later, when they are installed.
2) Install the bearings but do not tighten their bolts fully until after the gear/motor has been installed.