Calling ALL 441 Clone Experts!

[RemingtonSteel]

Wizcrafts, When I got home (well before I read your comment),  I turned the screw about 45 degrees and that loosened the lever up considerably to the point I turned it back about 25 degrees. The lever now takes about 5 lbs of force (measured with a digital scale) to move it up or down.  It looks to be about the same amount of force that I see used in video demonstrations of the 441 style machines.  I should note that it was pretty stiff before the thunk, and it may just have been my imagination that it got even stiffer. 

Tonight, I also replace the friction wheel on the bobbin winder, and wound a bobbin to test it out, and then sewed a couple feet of stitches. Between the two, I have not heard any sounds that would make me concerned that something was bent or binding. If anything, now that I completely re-timed the machine, I think it is running better than it did before. Otherwise, I would totally agree with your advice that a video would help diagnose if something was bent and or binding.

 

[Wizcrafts]

12 hours ago, RemingtonSteel said:

I have to place my palm under the knob and push it up or cup my hand around it to pull it down.

I have a Cowboy CB4500 and a good friend has a Cobra Class 4, both of which are now about 8 or 9 years old. From day one I can move the stitch length/direction levers on both machines with two or three fingers and they stay in place. If you have to force the lever up and down, it is binding or too tight somewhere.