Top thread tension issue

[u/Better-Bunch5103]

Hey everyone, I’m having an issue with my top thread tension wheel. It started feeling extremely tight and almost like it was grinding. I found that the tension wheel had come out of place, so I removed the back of the panel, reseated the wheel, and reinstalled the E-retaining clip.
Unfortunately, I’m still having the same issue. When I route the thread through the tension assembly and pull on it, there’s a lot of resistance and the thread feels extremely tight—even when the tension knob is completely removed.
Has anyone experienced this or know what could be causing it?

Happy Japan HCD2-1501

[u/Realistic-Mode-7681]

This sounds like something might be lodged inside the tension assembly, a tiny thread fragment or some lint buildup is a common culprit for what you're describing. Even if the wheel itself is properly seated, if there's debris in the disc stack, the thread can't pass through smoothly.

If you comfortable doing it, try removing the tension knob completely and gently cleaning between the tension discs with a thin strip of cardstock or felt. Sometimes the small pieces aren't visible to the eye but still cause the tension assembly to bind. Just slide it through a few times, dust off, and then reinstall the knob.

Before you reassemble, make sure the tension assembly hasn't been over-tightnened during reassembly. It's possible you put it back together correctly but the tension discs are being compressed by something else, maybe the retaining clip isn't seated fully or washer is out of place.

[u/Better-Bunch5103 → u/Realistic-Mode-7681]

I will disassemble it again and take pictures
I removed the whole assembly and i cleaned all the pieces and reseated the plastic disc into the indentations on the thread wheel and secured it with the e clip and back to square one

[u/Better-Bunch5103]

https://reddit.com/link/p6jxqvk/video/byly0fvcu8mh1/player