Cleaning the Extruder

The extruder's drive gears are responsible for gripping the filament and pushing it towards the hotend. Over time, dust and small shavings of plastic can build up in the teeth of these gears, reducing their grip and leading to filament grinding and under-extrusion.

Regular cleaning ensures your extruder maintains a firm, consistent grip.

Cleaning Procedure

1. Safety First: Ensure the printer is turned off or that the stepper motors are disabled so you can move the gears freely if needed.
2. Access the Gears: Open the extruder's tensioner arm or idler door to get a clear view of the drive gears.
3. Brush the Gears: Use a small, stiff brush (a brass brush is ideal, but a firm toothbrush also works) to gently scrub the teeth of both drive gears. Focus on removing any packed-in filament dust.
4. Clear Debris: Use a can of compressed air or a small vacuum to clean out the dislodged debris from the extruder housing.
5. Inspect: While you have it open, inspect the gear teeth for any signs of significant wear.

A close-up view of an open extruder, with a small brass brush being used to clean filament debris from the teeth of the hobbed drive gears.