I just found a beautiful Kenmore 158.523 machine, but the button on the machine bed will not turn to lower the feed dogs. Any idea how I can get this to turn?
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Sometimes, with a machine that has sat around a while, the grease/oil for the feed dogs and/or buttons/knobs, gets old and gummy. Try giving the machine a thorough cleaning and oiling as per owners manual. If you don't have a manual, here is a link to your kenmore machine's manual you can download for free: www.searspartsdirect.com/
Give extra attention from top and from underneath at the feed dogs and knob/button...extra lubrication and trying to move the knob/button may free it up.
Thanks so much for the info and web site links I will give it a try
You may have to take it in for service but try this first:
Take a hair dryer and turn it on med/hot and aim heat toward the parts affected. Move it around for a few minutes just being sure the heat is hitting the problem area - around the button in this case.
Sine your machine is a Kenmore, Sears Service Center may be a good place to check for cleaning services. Ask for an estimate.
www.service-center-locator.com/
I have a machine that I allowed to sit a very long time and this has happened to me. I tried to add a bit of oil to the machine to see if I could get it working again or not. it did not help. I had t take my machine back to the repair shop and have it fixed again.
Dear GypsyRed58! Have you solved this mystery? It occurred to me that perhaps you have been only trying to turn the mechanism (as you indicated in your original question), rather than push the ring or pin down to change the feed dog pressure. My understanding from the manual for your machine, and from my own Kenmore (slightly different model but the same mechanism), is that these mechanisms do not turn. Instead, you must push down the outer ring of the presser foot knob on top of the machine to release pressure, or press down the inner pin to increase the pressure of the feed dogs. I hope you are "sewing free"!
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