Creality Hi Strain Gauge Replacement

____________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction


This guide will walk you through the process of disassembling the print head and replacing the Strain Gauge


Important Notes

  1. Strong Yellow Glue: The connectors on the extruder board are secured with a strong yellow glue. You may need to carefully cut or gently wiggle the connectors to release them. Forcing the connector could damage both the extruder board and the cable. 


Tools needed


2mm Hex Driver and Hex Key 




2.5mm Hex Driver or Hex Key




Precision Tweezers (for easier connector removal) 

____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 1. Unscrew the 2 Screws holding the Front Tool Head Cover


Use your 2mm Hex driver to remove the screws securing the front cover.


____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 2. Remove the Front Tool Head Cover


Pull the tool head cover towards you to slide it off easily. 


Reference Photo:



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 3. Remove the Extruder Indicator Wheel


Pull the indicator wheel towards you to remove it. 



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 4. Unscrew the 2 screws holding the Extruder Motor Cover and remove the extruder motor cover


Use your 2mm Hex driver to remove the screws securing the extruder motor cover.



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 5. Disconnect the Filament Cutter Cable, Extruder Motor, Heater Cable, Thermistor, Hotend Fan Cable, Strain Gauge Wire


Carefully disconnect Filament Cutter Cable, Extruder Motor, Heater Cable, Thermistor, Hotend Fan Cables and Strain Gauge Wire from the Extruder Board.



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 6. Unplug the Filament Sensor Cable from the Filament Sensor


Disconnect the filament sensor cable from the sensor. 



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 7. Unscrew the mounting screws for the Extruder


Use the 2.5mm Hex driver to remove the screws securing the extruder to its mount.



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 8.  Slide the Extruder out


Carefully slide the extruder out from its mount. 



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 9. Remove the PTFE tube from the Extruder


To remove the PTFE tube, first push the coupler down (marked with an arrow in the photo). Once released, pull the PTFE tube upwards to disconnect it. 



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 10. Unscrew the both the Filament Cooling Fan / Material Fans


Use your 2.5mm Hex Driver to remove the screws securing the Filament Cooling Fan / Material Fan to the Tool Head.


____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 11. Unscrew the Strain Gauge from the Toolhead


Use a 2mm Hex Key to unscrew the four screws securing the Strain Gauge to the Tool Head. 

Tip: For easier access to the two front screws without removing the Extruder Board, we recommend using a Hex Key instead of a standard driver.

Bonus Tip: Leave the screws in their holes to make installing the new Strain Gauge easier later.


____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 12. Remove the Hotend and Strain Gauge


Carefully detach both the Hotend and Strain Gauge from the Tool Head.


____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 13. Remove the faulty Strain Gauge and install a new one.


Unscrew the two screws mounting the faulty Strain Gauge and remove it.
 Install the new Strain Gauge using the same screws and secure it with a 2mm Hex Key / Hex Driver. 




____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 14. Insert the Hot end and Strain Gauge into the Tool Head and fasten it.


Align the Heatbreak with its designated hole and carefully slide the Hotend into place.
Once positioned, use a 2mm Hex Driver to secure the Hotend to the Strain Gauge.


Ensure the screws are tightened properly to prevent the Hotend or Strain Gauge from coming loose.

____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 15. Fasten both the Filament Cooling Fan / Material Fans


Use a 2.5mm Hex Driver to fasten the screws securing the Filament Cooling Fan / Material Fan to the Tool Head.

 




____________________________________________________________________________________

 


Step 16. Insert the PTFE Tube and fasten the Extruder


Push the PTFE tube down into the coupler.

Slide the extruder back into place and secure it with the screws using the 2.5mm Hex driver. Ensure the filament cutter arm is in its open state.



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 17. Plug in the Filament Cutter Cable, Extruder Motor, Heater Cable, Thermistor, Hotend Fan Cable, Strain Gauge Wire



Plug the Filament Cutter Cable, Extruder Motor, Heater Cable, Thermistor, Hotend Fan Cable, Strain Gauge Wire

back into their respective connectors. 

 


____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 18. Ensure that the cables are organized into their grooves


Ensure that the cables are properly routed into their grooves to avoid interference with other components. 



____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 19. Install the Extruder Motor Cover


Use your 2mm Hex driver to secure the screws holding the extruder motor cover.



____________________________________________________________________________________



Step 20. Install the Extruder Indicator Wheel


Ensure the extruder indicator wheel is fully seated. If it's not properly aligned, the front tool head cover may not fit correctly. 


____________________________________________________________________________________


Step 21. Install the Front Tool Head Cover and screw it in place


Position the front tool head cover back into place and secure it with the screws.



Step 22. Turn on the machine and run Self Test / Calibration.


Power on the machine and run the self-test / calibration procedure. If no errors appear, the replacement was successful!



Your Strain Gauge replacement is complete!