It's the pest...again
 

I was wondering how to clean the reverse button on my Kenmore 158 18030. As far as I know, the front doesn't come off the machine and the button seems "sluggish" for want of a better word. Don't want to do anything unless I know it won't harm the machine.

Is there a way to take it out?

Clueless
Renate

You have to work from inside the machine. It is probably NOT the button itself - likely the moving bits behind it.

Tri-Flow oil is your friend in this case. It has solvents that will dissolve the old oil and PTFE to slick it up good.

Joe

I figured J Miller would know:)

Yup, Joe's right use tri-flow oil on the parts inside the machine. Use a real nice flashlight and the long spout on the T-F

Great!! I just ordered some today. Thank you all!

Glad you got your answer:) Now we both know.

When those are stuck they can be very hard to get unstuck. I have one machine that still sews only in reverse. I do not know what is wrong with it. Joe looked at it and didn't know either.

Keep asking your questions! I'm watching the answers too. I have a Kenmore 158.18130 that I'm going to get to cleaning and all this advice is super helpful!

Anastasia

The T-F may not be enough. If you use a solvent be wary of any thing plastic. You can use heat but it is very hard to get heat focused into the area.