How to Remove an Embroidery Machine Needle Bar

In this video, we remove a needle bar while keeping the machine threaded as much as possible. We first gather all of the threads together, pull them out, and wrap them around the holder so they do not need to be rethreaded later. We then remove the screw for the top cover, take off the top cover and faceplate, and slide the front cover to the side to expose the needle bars.

We then identify needle number 9 and begin disassembly there. We remove the needle, cutting only that one thread to free it, and then take off the needle support while watching the washers carefully. Next, we remove the presser foot by loosening and taking out its retaining screw.

With the area clear, we loosen the collars used to adjust the needle depth. We break the first collar free, then the upper collar, and hold the needle bar steady while unscrewing it. This can be done with vice grips from below, or by temporarily tightening the loosened collar again after the needle bar drops to hold it in place. We then remove the screw and carefully take out the spring, which can pop upward if it is not controlled.

Once the collar is loosened again, the needle bar is free. We carefully push it upward, loosen the front and side supports to create enough play to remove the presser foot completely, and let the needle bar drop gently out of the bottom. We also check how smoothly the bar moves, since a bent or out-of-round needle bar can bind in the upper and lower guides. If a hoop jam has bent the bar, that tight fit through the steel guides can cause binding and keep the machine from running properly.