Elna SU Supermatic Star 62C Cam Gear Repair Tutorial (Part 1: Disassembly)

This is Part 1 of a 3 part guide. Part 2 covers reassembly and Part 3 will cover all the adjustments necessary to get the machine functioning perfectly.
This is an 'instructional guide' for replacing a broken cam gear on a vintage Elna Supermatic Star Series Sewing Machine aka an Elna 62C. This is a somewhat common issue with an otherwise excellent machine. There doesn't appear to be a tutorial out there so I thought I would share the procedure I used. This was my first time doing the repair and I did it without any instructions and just figured it out along the way, so the video runs a little longer than I'd like and I run into a couple issues along the way but hopefully the extra footage will be of some value to you if you're attempting this repair yourself.

[@caroltriplett826]

This is a great help! Please complete videos 2 and 3. Looking forward to them.

[@marywilkinson2467]

Thank you for the great video! I am willing to tackle doing this with my husbands help. Thank you for making the repair manual available. I'm hoping you have part 2 and 3 soon!

[@JayRietz]

Hey, thanks for the post. Just figured out I had broken a cam drive gear and your proof and instruction is very appreciated....Jay, NE Wisconsin/

[@tomwolfe1983]

Just starting this repair now... and hoping that reassembly and adjustment will not be impossible without your Part 2 and Part 3! Wish me luck...

[@dejapex1]

Thanks for the excellent video. Your attention to detail is very helpful. Please complete the reassembly video.

[@ElectricUnicycles]

Fantastic video. Thanks for taking the time to make it!

[@MichelleWinther]

THANK YOU! great video.

[@Tornussen]

Very good Video! Thanks a lot! Tor

[@tomwolfe1983]

Very useful and thorough video. The only problem I have with it is that it made me seasick. A steadier camera would have been appreciated, but I guess there's always Gravol :)

[@syedsayeedurrahmanzaini4221]

Thanks for uploading this video. I have the same machine with same problem. Following your instructions I successfully removed the cam rotating mechanism. What I noticed the mechanism can easily be taken off without removing the long rod if the lower part of the rectangular hole through which the rod passes is cut off. There seems to be no harm in cutting that as the mechanism will still be strongly held by the upper part of the hole. By doing this modification we can easily pull out the cam mechanism without disturbing the timing. I need your guidance please. Thanks and regards from India.

[@sharonthompson5162]

This is a fantastic video. Great job! I have another question for the Elna 62C...I cannot access the bottom motor brush and there doesn't seem to be information on that any where. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[@shirleyboyd8714]

I am unable to change the needle position from straight to zigzag by finger, I have removed the cover and do not see that the cam is damaged. Please advise me on what I should be looking at that could be the culprit. Your video is very helpful.

[@lindasherman8036]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@MyCrystalPrism]

Before I dive into and tear my macine apart, can you tell me what's wrong? When I try to use the stretch stitch cam, it sews backwards in straight stitch. Works just fine for straight stitch.

[@debraallen1611]

Did you ever post video part 2 and 3? I have three of these machines.

[@jasneskis]

Don't know if I can fix my Elner, but I'll try. My wheel won't spin to wind bobbin or make stitches, can you do a video about that. I have air electronic model.

[@philt734]

At 5:46, you say you have already removed that phillip’s head screw. The only way I found to access the screw was to back out the pin screw that the loop spring hooks to. Otherwise, I could not swing the arm out of the way. The pin screw did not need to be fully removed, and I would not fully remove it if possible, so as not to drop it. Maybe I was doing something wrong, but I could not access the phillip’s head without the added step. Cheers!

[@philt734]

BTW, thank you very much for making my repair possible and painless.

[@pierrechollet8275]

I found ! Unscrew the black flat screw that maintains the spring with a thin flat screw driver. Not entirely, but enough to be able to move the black arm an let the 3rd screw appear underneath.

[@rociobach4642]

Hello, I bought an Elna supermatic and I've realized that the motor belt is not aligned. It works, but because it isn't centered it makes clicking sounds. Do you know how to fix this?

[@oceaneboisson8059]

this fix is good to do when the machine only does a straight stitch right ?

[@murielbelhabchi948]

Hello , many thanks for your vidéo . It s help me a lot ! I have a question, in case if someone know this 😊Do you know if the Button used to center the neddle Can be replaced? Mine is broken . If you have some information about that piece , I will be happy. Sorry for my english. Muriel.

[@pierrechollet8275]

Hello. Unfortunaltely, the shaft with the ZZ gear is a little hard when it turns. I left the subjet apparently 6 months ago. I will return to it. BR. Pierre / Paris

[@evelynecohen8404]

Very hepfull video, can you please tell me the reference of the sony gear, thanks a lot!!

[@romanomacro764]

hello thesergeant, have video how adjustment elna supermatic 62? thanks in advance

[@sewingartssacramento8039]

Did you finish Parts 2 and 3?

[@MESSERROBBY]

Thanck you for the vidéo

[@pierrechollet8275]

Thank you for your explanations. Unfortunately, I have an Elna SP. No problem with 2 out of 3 screws. Do you know how to reach the 3rd screw on this model (the nearest from the zig-zag arm) ? The screw is behind an arm whitch doesn't move sufficiently to reach the screw ? Best regards Pierre / Paris / France

[@philt734]

read my new posted comment

[@philt734]

haha. i see below that you found it

[@deanaborchardt5137]

How do you get the third screw out

[@timnorton3451]

Tried this on TSP72 but can't get screwdriver on front screw of Elnagraph even undoing little screw on front right levers blocking access to the screw head to remove Elnagraph unit.

[@josky7510]

Couldn't find Part 2 or 3 of the Elna SU Star 62c Cam Gear Repair Tutorial?

[@ronmatthews1738]

The needle position dial on my machine is very stiff. Looking online shows this to be a common problem. Is the dial meant to move on the shaft or is it fixed and the whole shaft is meant to turn in the metal casting? I'd like to free this up without taking the machine to pieces. Thank you very much for a great resource and for posting the service manual.

[@ProfoundConfusion]

Did you ever find out how to loosen the needle position dial on your Elna Star? Did it require taking the machine to pieces? I have the same problem with mine but I didn't realize it was such a common problem.

[@oceaneboisson8059]

@@ProfoundConfusion did you guys manage to do it ?

[@pamrogers2173]

@@ProfoundConfusion I am having the same problem. did you ever get an fix for it?

[@TheDenimIndustry]

Hello. I am a mechanic. Thanks for the video. I am repairing one of these with a bad motor. I was if there is much to do beyond what you did in this video to be able to get the motor out.

[@johnalex3023]

How did u get the third screw?

[@shariefalan]

good video, did you make the next 2 parts?

[@thesergeant3524]

thanks! I'm in the processing of compiling the videos. I'll load them soon!

[@shariefalan]

thanks

[@johnalex3023]

Is there a part 2 to this?

[@marjanneirenevandam]

Great machine I bought mine about 48 years ago. No way I replace it for e modern machine

[@olgaguerrero6982]

excelent

[@sheilaward8606]

I am at the point of removing the shaft. I have done all the steps up until now. I can’t get it out. The gear is movable. Thanks

[@shariefalan]

Also, I had to take the bobbin apart due to a thread getting stuck. Now the sewing is all messed up and the thread catches and breaks, can you help?

[@tomwolfe1983]

SL falan The place for help would be the Yahoo user group "Elna Heirloom Sewing Machines"

[@MyCrystalPrism]

Where are parts 2 and 3?

[@estrellacampos5921]

Hola . Tienen videos del uso y manejo en español

[@yolandagood1108]

what exactly is the problem with this machine????

[@chetnowakowski285]

weres part 1 and part2 ? cant find.

[@thesergeant3524]

I never added them. After I did part one I realized there's a written tutorial for how to replace that's very comprehensive. If you search google you'll run across it.

[@fabfuzebycarriejones1419]

Here is a link to the service manual www.manualslib.com/manual/1013587/Elna-Ec-11.html?page=22#manual

[@lindahuante]

Can I send you my machine and you fix it for me?