Sharp AR-M355 Noise Issue

[Tech2002]

Came to the system hearing a noise coming from the Fuser Side of system. I suspected the DV Unit. Noise is like something having a hard time turning - thump, thump, thump continuous when Copying.

Change out DV Unit - still hearing the noise. Tried to isolate the noise but the best I can come up with is either the Fuser or the Drum Unit. Waste Toner & Daylght Savings Firmware Updates were done about a 1 1/2 ago so I am thinking it isn't the Firmware.

Any direction or suggestions appreciated!

[mtech]

It is probably the lower fuser roller. Try replacing the roller and the bearings. These are notorious for noise in the fuser. Usually the bearings cause a clicking noise that drives the customer crazy. If you hear a thumping noise like a washing machine out of balance then the lower fuser roller most likely has flat spots.

[Tech2002]

Appreciate the heads up. I actually thought about changing the Bearings but didn't think that could cause that much noise - not that it was really loud.

Thanks, again - Happy Memorial Day Weekend to You!

[tmaged]

mtech is correct. The cleaning roller for the lower heat roller will do this also. The toner is "supposed" to get funnelled down into the troughs but it doesn't work. They'll get the toner built up on it & then flat spot. On this machine it's easy to narrow stuff down by running either the drum motor or the main motor in sims. The drum motor turns the drum & DV units. The main motor runs the rest of the stuff. Hopefully that'll help you troubleshoot in the future.

[blackcat4866]

I've had a few Jupiters lock up the drum cleaning unit, and shear off the drive end of the auger. It can run a surprisingly long time while the waste toner is punking on down the paper path.

As you can imagine, it is a mess to clean up. Let us know what you find. =^..^=

[Tech2002]

The Fix

I changed out the DV Unit - Not the issue.
I changed out the Fuser Unit - Not the issue. I tried SIMMS to isolate the issue with no luck.

Changed out the Drum Unit - Whole Unit - This was the Fix. Before doing this, last week I cleaned out the Auger - obviously with no luck.

I appreciate all that contributed!

[Dark Helmet]

Did you notice if the waste toner on the cartridge was full?

I have had that overfill (PCU fix was done) then it backs up the entire waste toner system and breaks teeth off the gears on the back side drum frame and it makes a loud clicking noise.

ARM550's used to do the same thing with the old style toner except it would snap gears in the drum drive.

[blackcat4866]

Did you notice if the waste toner on the cartridge was full?

I have had that overfill (PCU fix was done) then it backs up the entire waste toner system and breaks teeth off the gears on the back side drum frame and it makes a loud clicking noise.

ARM550's used to do the same thing with the old style toner except it would snap gears in the drum drive.

It was no fun getting to those gears on the Dragon. When the new toner cartridges started doing that we contacted all our customers. "If you hear clicking, please stop running the machine and call for service."

[Dark Helmet]

It was no fun getting to those gears on the Dragon. When the new toner cartridges started doing that we contacted all our customers. "If you hear clicking, please stop running the machine and call for service."

First time i ran across this i had only worked on a Dragon maybe 2 or 3 times before, never pulling the back cover off but really a nice machine to work on.

The drive it's self was not bad to get out but it was a bit clumbsy to get the gears out. I'd rather take the Drum drive out rather than the fuser drive. That stupid thing had so many wires around it and stuck up under the cover.

[Tech2002]

I vacuumed the Drum Unit and again changed the Toner Cartridge, but I did not notice any back-up. I didn't take the whole Drum Unit apart yet but plan to this weekend. I'll let you know what I find.

[mtech]

Hey I remember that! Tech2002 is right. I remember running into back up issues with the cartridges. It's like the waste toner part was not big enough to hold all the waste and the whole thing backed up. I used to vacuum up the waste hopper when I did service calls for this reason. It has been a while.

[Tech2002]

New Update

I changed the Drum Unit about a month ago and the clicking problem went away. I took the same Drum Unit and tried it in another machine - works fine.

I got another call with the same issue. I did a firmware update - that I did before for the Waste Toner. Still had the same problem. I call Tech Support - useless. I looked over the Toner Waste on the Toner Cart - that looks good. There was debris of Toner and Plastic Gear shavings in the back where the Drum Unit sits.

I can spin all the open gears with no problem - but still having the same issue - I am sure I am going to get a call in a month with a clicking noise.

Any other suggestions with this info appreciated.

[Dark Helmet]

I found this on Sharpnet, you would only hear the clicking when the copier is making copies. If you have the clicking while running the Main motor or Drum motor your problem will not be whats described below.

Model Name:

ARM280U, ARM350, ARM350N, ARM450, ARM450N, ARM355N,

ARM355U, ARM455N, ARM455U, ARP350, ARP450, MXM350N,
MXM350U, MXM450N, MXM450U
Symptom:

POD1_N, PPD1S (all), clicking noise

Cause:

Rear frame bushing on resist follower roller (white plastic roller) seized on

the roller shaft, putting extra torque on the PS unit.
Action:

Disassemble PS unit, remove follower roller, clean bushings and shaft

ends, apply one drop of oil if necessary.

Watch toner density at the end of 25-2 initialization process; the higher the
density, the more dusting the machine will develop, especially towards the
end of developer life.
Dusting tends to be more visible at the rear frame end and also the PS
follower roller shaft is D-shaped at this end to accommodate the driving
gear. The flat spot on the shaft makes it easy for foreign matter to adhere to

the inner surface of the bushing and prevent smooth turning of the roller.

[Tech2002]

I feel stupid and probably should know, but what are they saying the PS stands for? Power Supply?

[DavePo]

PS Unit = Paper Stop unit A.K.A. registration unit.