TA 3552ci grinding noies w/C7301

**Samanator** · 10-17-2022

I have this 3552ci that I was called out to that was making a grinding noise. The customer had turned it off. When I switched on, it made a grinding noise for a bit then made a C7301 and of course stopped. O month before I had replaced the transfer belt unit and the PARTS BOX WASTE H ASSY SP because of a different grinding noise caused by toner rocks on the waste box and a non repairable stopped up transfer belt nozzle. When I pulled the drive unit (something I have sadly become very familiar with doing), the gear on the waste box moved very smoothly with no drag or hesitation at all . However looking back into the machine around where the black developer connects, I discovered all kinds of powder that I think is from a gear (see pictures). When I inspected the black developer unit, I discovered more of the same.

This is the first time I have seen this before and heard the different grinding noise as well. Has anyone experienced this before?

If you have, whats the fix, please?

Thanks so much for any help.

**blackcat4866** · 10-17-2022

I'd suspect that the gears are wearing because the black developing unit is difficult turn. Back when we saw this issue on AlphardI's I tried disassembling a couple of developing units. Mostly all you end up with is a broken plastic housing. When it became clear that I wasn't going to have a usable developing unit, I abandoned that idea, and ordered a replacement. As far as I can tell the housings are all glued or welded, so it's just not coming apart into usable pieces.

As a contributing factor I's check for generic toner. =^..^=

**Samanator** · 10-18-2022

Thanks BC. Do you think I should replace those gears on the inside the machine? Looks like a bitch (like my ex) to get at.

I will try another black developer unit and see if that straightens this out.

This is a client that purchased the machine outright and did not take a service agreement. Not sure where they get their toner, but its not from us. And yes, the toner bottles in the machine are aftermarket.

**blackcat4866** · 10-18-2022

If it was an option, I'd like to temporarily swap in a used developing unit to see if it drives.

If it does drive, I probably would not change those gears in the back. I would also tell my enduser that I suspect the aftermarket toner to be the cause, and if there was a re-occurrence I could not warranty the parts.

If you can get a peek down inside the black developing unit, I suspect that you'll find that it's full to the brim with toner. You may also have backups in the toner add augers. Don't give an estimate that locks you in to a specific price or number of hours. It could be a major operation ... and if they continue to use the aftermarket toner, you may get another opportunity to do it again. =^..^=

**Samanator** · 10-18-2022

Put a different black black developer unit in it and when the machine came on it still made a racket, ran for a while during warmup, then C7301.

So it looks I gotta replace those gears; GEAR Z19L (302ND03440) and GEAR Z25R (302ND03450) found in parts under FIG. 6 Frame Base.

Ugh!

**blackcat4866** · 10-18-2022

Ugg, is right. =^..^=

**Samanator** · 10-25-2022

In one picture the worn gears that drive the black developer unit is quite apparent.

In the other picture, one can see how clean one can make the machine when replacing gears of this type.

Ugh!

**blackcat4866** · 10-25-2022

That is a naked rear frame.

Nice & clean. Yeah those gears were toast. =^..^=

**Samanator** · 10-25-2022

Now I have discovered that there is no way to remove the gears from the shafts without concealable destruction (pic Part xx).

Nor is there a part number for the black assembly where they reside (pic Part X).

Ugh!! this just keeps getting better.

Have reached out to Kyocera parts with a nicely worded WTF??!!

Stand by friends as we see what happens.....