Remove, clean, adjust tension assembly on Kenmore sewing machine 

This video is gold! I was afraid to take that knob apart, but I knew it had to be done because the only tension I could sew at was 0. I’m guessing someone had it apart before, because when I got in there, I discovered the star wheel thingy was tightened down way too far. All it took to fix it was to loosen that and now it’s perfect! Thank you!😊

This video was a lifesaver! I am fairly new to sewing and have been having issues with the tension on my machine since I got it (secondhand). Had referred to some other videos/tutorial, taken the assembly apart and reassembled multiple times with each result worse than the last... After one final try with your video, I'm finally back up and running again! Thank you :)

Thankyou for your good help! You were so easy to follow and didn't go so fast it was impossible to keep up. Your a good teacher and you helped "reunite" my wonderful kenmore with me. I almost put out too much money for a fancy smancy machine but didn't after I had a talk with God about it and he told me to be content with what I really NEED. 1 Timothy 6:8

Thank you! Thinking that the plastic grip of the tension knob to my vintage Kenmore would be easier to clean if I took it off (!), I unscrewed it. Oops! When I found that the first 5 pieces were in my hand, I stopped and tried to put it back together. It was in the wrong order, of course. Your video saved my bacon and $$$ for the cost of a new unit. I am so happy that it again works correctly. I wish you many years of happy retirement and great success. I am grateful for this video. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

You saved my bacon, or at least my sanity. I took apart my tension mechanism to clean and made the classic mistake of not paying attention to the order of parts. Once reassembled, my tension was not working. I live in a small mountain town where sewing machine repair is non existent and was so thankful to find your tutorial. I fixed my machine myself. I feel like a super hero. Thank you! (Kenmore 148.14220 machine)

One of my first memories was buying this machine at Sears with my parents. I was 7 and have been sewing with workhorse ever since. Spent a glorious morning in snowbound Vancouver, with your video on repeat. Success!!

Thank you so much for explaining this. I've learned you can't have a heavy hand when adding these pieces back. I FINALLY figured how to assemble this to make it work. Thank You So Much!!!

Best tutorial on the tension mechanism...I was gifted a Kenmore that would not sew because the tension was breaking the thread. I took it apart and saw that inside it was put together wrong. I cleaned and reassembled it and now it works great. 👍😀 Thank you.

Thank you. Excellent, detailed super helpful tutorial!

Have owned my Kenmore since 1975 and have always had a tension issue. Will see if your video helps. So glad there are folks like you who fix things. We’re too much of a throw away society, which makes me sad. Wish me luck, cause I took the tension system apart then couldn’t get it back together! I’m amazed that this video was out there in RU-vid land, but why am I not surprised? We’ve learned how to fix a ton of things watching these types of videos. So thank you very much!

Thank you so much for this complete and detailed tutorial! I love the fact that you explained everything so completely on how exactly each piece needs to be positioned and why. Very helpful! Thanks again!

Thank you so much. I had taken my tension apart but could not get it back together. After watching you show how, it was quite easy. Blessings.

Yay! I finally found a good video that is to the point and concise and clear and explanatory! My personal tension is resolved because i finally got my sewing machine tension resolved... you do a good job! Thank you!

thank you for your detailed instructions. i was able to use your video to troubleshoot my 158.1941 tension problem.

Years ago, I took apart my kenmore tension, and never got it back together in right order. Finally, today after watching this, I got it! I had to keep stopping the video and rewatching to see where that check spring should be, but finally it was right. Thanks.

Hi from Connecticut. This video was extremely thorough and helpful. Very easy for the novice to follow. Thanks for the great work.

Hello from Glenmoore, Pennsylvania. Thank you for this detailed video. This is the machine I've had since 1981. Currently sewing medical masks for a local hospital and the tension assembly has popped off several times. I attempted to reinstall it but obviously didn't have the parts in the correct order. You have made my repair so easy. I realized the part fell out of the machine as there is a very small screw inside near the light bulb that holds the assembly in the machine. Once I reinstalled the assembly per your instructional video and tightened the screw, my machine is working like new. Thank you for taking the time to record and teach! Be safe, be well!

Nice! I misplaced Ultra-Stitch 10 in a move and picked up a 12 replacement. It didn't work at the time and so it sat for nearly 10 years! I just got it out from the garage and realized that it was a tension issue and the dial had been put back together wrong by a previous owner. This video helped! I also have a '68 Shasta :). Thanks!

Thank you so much! I bought a 1645 model really cheap at a thrift store. Found a free manual for it at the Sears website. I thought I had a tension problem because the instructions in the Sears manual for getting the tension right did not specify the thickness of the cloth. It just said use two layers, and I was using really thin cloth. To compound the problem, I could not get any upper tension at all when I tried it by hand. Well, your video explained it, the foot was up instead of down! Of course I had disassembled the tension mechanism, and the sequence of washers was a mystery as they all came out at once. I saw one small silver washer stuck to each side of the plastic knob, but where did the spring washer go? Your video helped me understand it goes between the numbered dial and the silver washer on the front of the knob. Testing again, the tensioner works perfectly- thanks again!

Thank you so much. Very well explained. I managed to repair mine :)

I took out that first screw, pulled off the dial, and the parts exploded off there to the floor.. So glad I have this to refer to now, I'll go back and pick them up and restart the process. Glad you couldn't hear me from there.

Your tutorial is so cool and satisfying thanks bro...

Ty. Years ago my tension just went. I managed to take it apart n reassemble but it was always too tight after that. Now i know where i went wrong.

Gracias por su ayuda aunque yo no ablo ingles pero segui el paso a paso cómo usted lo izo y me quedo bien se lo agradezco mucho bendiciones ❤❤

After watching this great video I contacted them and took my vintage kenmore in for a long overdue maintenance. Great service. I have recommended this video and stagecoachroadsewing to friends

Follow up to previous comment: I was able to reassemble the tensioner, and between adjusting the bobbin tension and the upper tension, it looks like the machine will sew on for the next few years. Was considering a new machine, but will keep sewing with this one for a while! Wish I had found your video sooner!! So happy!

I just can't thank you enough. I followed along with your instructions and it worked a treat, on this old Alfa 206. Best wishes x

Thank you! Not sure exactly what taking it apart and putting it back together did, but it worked and the tension is correct again!

Oh my gosh this video was so soooo helpful!! Just sewed for the first time EVER today....and wouldn’t have been able to do it without putting the tension assembly back together...My knowledge of sewing and sewing machines was zero...so this video explains the process well even for a super novice!!!

Thank you. Very helpful and thorough. Perfect pace to watch while doing.

Good guide. Same unit on our Frister & Rossmann. Bighead took it apart to clean & adjust & forgot the order of parts. Was due a thick ear but I've let him off. Machine works perfectly now.

Thank you soooo much for this video! It is so detailed and helpful. You solved my tension problem and I am very grateful.

Love your instructions!!!

Ok this is better. I can see the machine and parts. Thanks.

LIFE SAVER! Trying to fix my Mom's old Kenmore and couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get this back together. Thanks!

Thank you! You helped me fix my tensioner. It had worked itself so loose that the spring was pointing in the wrong direction and I was terrified to take it apart. 15 min and only a half dozen swear words that only the dogs heard, I’m good as new... (as new as a 40 year old machine can be!). Thanks again!

Thank you soooo much for your tutorial. Saved my day of sewing. Merci beaucoup

Thank you very much for making this! Very helpful.

PERFECT! In every way! Thanks!~

Thank you so much for this well presented video! Subscribed.

I have a Kenmore Ultra-Stitch 8 158.1345280 from the early 80s and this video was also a lifesaver. I've bookmarked it. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for this video!! It was very helpful♡

Absolutely a lifesaver thank you thank you THANK YOU!

Great video. Very clear!

Thank you for the video this was really helpful!

Omg omg omg THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING THIS VIDEO, I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EXCITING VIDEO TO MAKE BUT DEAR GOD I WOULDN'T BE SEWING RIGHT NOW IF YOU HAD NOT MADE THE EFFORT. I ONLY WISH YOU HAD DONE a close up on the parts one by one. I'm not complaining just suggesting. AGAIN THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH

Can you show how to replace the check spring on a 158.433? It was pulled straight and has a minuscule loop on the front end. Thank you so much!

Thank u so much, really needed the help. U are 👍

Hi. Late to make a comment, but the central screw in your tensioning assy. is called a "Reed & Prince" screw. They do resemble the more common Phillips screws but do require a screwdriver with a "sharper" tip profile to work properly. So, you would need the correct size P & R screwdriver, no doubt they come in sizes no.1 tru 3, the same as Phillips.

thank you, this saved my butt.

Thank you!

This was really helpful, thanks! Any advice on how to fix a loose/of kilter stitch selection knob?

Tank you very Much aus Germania

thank you thank you thank you!

Awesome video. Very easy to understand . I inherited a Kenmore model 148.12170 . It hasn’t been used in years. I want to oil it before I sew with it . I can not open the top to oil . It has a blind stitch knob that prevents it to open up . Do u or anyone know how to remove it thx 😊

Thank you so so much

Thanks for this video!! There seems to be a pin deep in the center of the shaft, and on my machine I don't think that pin is placed correctly. It's not as deep in as yours. I'm going to fuss with it and see if I can get it in deeper because it's not allowing the spring to push against the disks for tension at all. that doesn't seem right. Appreciate the video!!! :) So helpful.

Mesmo não entendo inglês vendo como você fez me ajudou muito, obrigado

Thanks for this video. Do you have one on how to remove/reinstall the stitch width knob?

I have this machine since I was 13. Now I am 65. My Kemmore has tension problems but the big problem is that I don't speak English so, I didn't undertand. And some parts in the vídeo I couldnt see what you did. I need help. Thank you from Venezuela.

Thank you for this video. Has anyone made a video on repairing/replacing the stitch width knob? I have access to a 3D printer.

I have a Kenmore 158.330. This is the best video I have seen so far. However, my machine is older than this one and it doesn't have a screw in the front to remove the assembly. Any ideas? Thanks again!! Great video. It helped me understand how this works.

Holly M. I have sewed on my Kenmore 158-10400 (it looks exactly like the one in this video) my whole life and I need to change the belt. I live an hour and a half from the closest sewing machine repair shop. Do you have a video on how to get to the belt? I cannot figure out how to get the right side piece off. Thank you for any advice you have!! How awesome that you work on these 'antique' machines!

My Kenmore model 1601 was dropping stiches and so when I took apart the tension assembly I forgot where one washer went. Same assembley as yours but an additional washer on the assembley between the check spring. Shinny silver. Any ideas or exploded views available? Also check spring seems bent and weak; what do you recommend. Thanks Rick from Osoyoos, BC, Canada

I need help putting my springs that goes between the discs back together mine is different than that one. HELP PLEASE

Muy bien

This is great. Any chance you could do one for the model 89? The tension assembly is pretty unusual and I’m a bit lost.

I have a 158.1781. It had a couple more parts. Mine also flew everywhere. Help

Gracia maestro te nia vario día cojiendo pela con mi máquina el tensor los desalme y no savia ámalo gracia auste saludo desde Republica Domicana

Great training video but I could barely hear with the sound to the max.

Hoping you can help - the whole tension knob came off of my machine. How do I put this back on securely?

Hi Mike. I hope that you can help me. I have a Kenmore that was tipped over and the tension mechanism has broken off. Do you know if this can be repaired?

Can you tell me how to remove the 2 belts on this machine and what size to replace them with. Thanks

There's something wrong with mine. there's something inside the split shaft keeping the plate with the nobs from pressing up against the plate that presses the two concave plates together. I'm thinking I need to put a washer on to bring them together so I can actually apply pressure with the dial.

I have a Kenmore 158 1212180 and took it out of storage and the whole tension assembly came off of the sewing machine. There is just a hole in it's place. I have tried placing the tension assembly back into place without any luck. Do you have any suggestions? I didn't find a broken part anywhere so not sure what the problem is. Thanks!

THANK YOU!!!!! Now I can refurbish clothes and make MASKS!!! 🤗👍🏽

Need help. I have a Kenmore 158-1110180. I need to open it's body to replace some parts but the body next to the wheel area can not be opened. Does anyone knows if it has a trick to open? Thanks in advance.

I have a beautiful Kenmore Model 35 158.353. My tension assembly is a mess. Do you have any resources reccomendations to help me get it sorted out?

Can anyone tell me the screw size?

Por que mi Kenmore enrreda el hilo de arriba en el cangrejo y no cose

Como cambiarle la banda

I'm trying to find someone to help me with my sewing machine because it not picking up the threads on the sewing machine at all... Please someone help...

If 3 is normal sewing tension why does it go all the way up to 9?

Ver este mismo video en español

My number plate sits slightly proud of the dial. No matter how I try, it will not screw in flush. I know the parts are in the correct order:(

766

But I could not hear most of the talk 😟🤨

5:48 you have that 4 piece assembly OFF CAMERA so can't tell what you did to what and when. NOT HELPFUL!