My 5-year-old sewing machine (Brother LS 2725) has been kept in a cupboard for a long time, recently I brought it out and started using it - it seemed fine intially. However the tension quickly started to go wrong.

The first thing I noticed was that the thread was looping on the reverse (no matter what I changed the tension dial to). This was not too severe as long as I kept the speed low and constant.

However it also snaps the upper thread regularly - again, no matter what the tension is set to. When the thread snaps, it appears to be caught behind the tension dial.

Please help, what can I do to fix this? There could be something wrong behind the dial but I don't want to pull the machine apart unless I know what I'm looking for.

Thanks for your help,
-Susannah-

Susannah B, January 2008

The tension dial is easy to replace. You can buy one from many companies that sell spare parts for sewing machines but make sure you get the correct part - Upper Tension Control Dial XA1052021 / XE3453001. Loosen the screw on the back of the sewing head. Then remove the cover from the machine. Doing so, you will be able to access the tension dial and unscrew it by using a torque screwdriver. Replace the old one with the new and it's good to go again. I recently repaired mine and found it easier than I thought it was going to be. Taking it to be repaired would have cost me £60. The spare part only cost me £8.99 and the torque screwdriver (T15) was only £1.99. Hope you can fix it yourself. Best of luck.

Franka, August 2016

Hello Susannah,
First of all check to make sure you are putting the thread between the tension discs and not to the side of it, very easy mistake to make, make sure the presser foot is up so the thread goes completetly between the discs, top tension between 4 and 6, be sure you have threaded the machine right, bottom tension enough to be able to pull the thread through evenly and not too tight, look for any damage on the needle plate.

drivewithken@blueyonder.co.uk, January 2008