Customer Reviews

Chamberlain Garage Door Opener Gear Kit - Part #41A2817

5 star:		(122)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was faced with the decision to purchase a new garage door opener for about $230 or repair the existing opener from 1992 which lacks some of today's safety features. Since I don't use this garage door often and I don't have children, I opted to save some cash and do the repair myself. I have no previous experience of doing these types of garage door opener repairs, but as a do-it-yourselfer I figured it was worth the attempt.

The kit came with detailed instructions which broke the process down into 5 main steps each with multiple individual tasks. The instructions were not exact for my opener, but were close enough to get the point. The steps start with removing the motor with the worm, removing the chain stem with the gear, replacing the worm, replacing the gear, and finally reassembling everything. Once the first two steps were completed I brought the parts inside to work on. I had the most trouble removing the tightly set pin to replace the gear. About two hours later, everything was reassembled and the garage door was working like a charm.

For those that want to save time, there is another kit with a complete gear stem for about $11 more. If time is an issue for you, consider the more expensive kit option. However for me, this kit worked well and is at the right price. Ultimately I need to replace my aging Craftsman garage door opener; however I can wait for the right time for me financially speaking.

PROS:
Inexpensive way to extend the life of your garage door opener
Simple enough instructions

CONS:
Using the kit may delay replacing the garage door opener for safety reasons
Time consuming to replace parts

I saved myself ~$75 in labor charges doing this myself. It's a COMMON issue with Craftsman garage door openers - The main gear set strips out. Mine seemed to have lasted a good 8 years, so I really can't complain. The cost of the gear kit was a lot better than a complete new garage door opener.

My only recommendation with DIY on this, is REMEMBER TO PLUG BACK IN ALL SENSORS!! OOps!

This was a lot of work, more than I had anticipated, despite the excellent reviews here, warning of the many nuts, plugs, and pins involved.

The directions were so-so. I found that they were written very generically with the intent to apply to variations of the models. The diagrams could have been more clear...for example, I had trouble figuring out where the retainer clip and limit drive gear (2A) was. It's the white thing on the end of the sprocket assembly shaft. My advice is to take your time and move very slowly through the instructions, step by step. There were a few things that delayed me:

* The sprocket assembly had to be lifted up through the hole in the chassis, and I only had 2 inches of clearance between the top of the opener and the ceiling of the garage. This meant that the opener had to come down a few inches. I suspended it with rope and bungees since taking it down completely would have meant un-bolting it from the chain axel, and I didn't want to do that. Lowering it worked fine, but it required extra time.

* The second issue sounds like a common one as others here had it, as well. I had trouble getting the drive shaft bushing off the motor shaft because the shaft was marred ever so slightly by the set screws. The marring is so slight, it's hard to even see it, but it prevented the bushing from sliding off. Per the excellent advice by other reviewers, I was able to use a file to smooth down the shaft so that I could finally remove the bushing and ultimately, the worm gear.

* I also had trouble removing the pin from the sprocket assembly, despite having a 5/32" punch tool. Removing it was easier than replacing it, as I was worried about damaging the new plastic gear when replacing it.

* There's also some time consuming tinkering at the end, adjusting the up/down limits and force.

Other than these issues, it was a matter of remembering how everything went back together...I used notes along the way.

The kit itself was great. In terms of quality, the pieces looked to be the same as the originals that I was replacing. Sanford & Son shipping was timely - took about 4 or 5 business days to arrive, which was less than the estimate. So, I am totally satisfied with my purchase.

In the end, the cost was $19.49 (included shipping), several hours of my weekend, several scrapes to the hands, only one of which bled slightly (pinched in the chain), and very dirty hands, grease still caked around the cuticles two days later, despite many washings.

Would I do it again? Absolutely...I enjoy the learning experience that goes along with most do-it-yourself tasks. However, if this type of task isn't your cup of tea or if you find putting together IKEA furniture to be a chore, I'd suggest you hire someone to handle this.

This kit has enough parts to repair the common problems with door openers. Mine needed the large gear replaced but not the worm gear on the motor shaft. I'm sure some people take too much apart when fixing these things, why dismantle the motor if it isn't problematic. That's where the instructions get off base. You are given the impression that you need to take the motor out to change the drive gear. Not so. Just go to the second page, after disabling the opener of course, and remove the gear housing. One screw is a little tricky but all things considered not a problem.
I did have a concern with the reassembly. It doesn't mention how to reset the limit switch assembly. First,when taking this apart,you had to move the trolley to the "door closed" position. Then why don't you need to reset the limit switch to the "closed position"? Well, you DO have to reset it to closed before reinstalling it or the door will try to close, hit the floor and reverse to stop part way open. The "timing" is messed up unless you reset the limit switch. Look at the cover, figure which set of contacts is the down limit, turn the center shaft so the contacts close and reinstall. Works perfect. No, or very little adjustment needed.
One other item, when you have the gear housing out, turn the shaft. Mine was too tight the bushing had galled and scored the shaft. Fortunately, one of the bushings in the kit was the one needed for the gear housing. Remove the upper roll pin(I used the but end of a junk 3/32 drill bit), remove the housing retainer E-clip, pull the shaft out of the housing, press (or tap) the bushing out of the housing(a 5/16 socket worked for this), put a new one in(I used a 9/16 socket to push it in), and reinstall the parts, greasing the new bushing, and when reassembled grease the big gear, A LOT. I never moved the motor, and had this done in less than an hour. Spent more time finding the right tools than actually working on this problem.
This kit will have what you need, except for the instructions.

Kit had all the parts my repair required. About one hour of time needed for the repair as I did not need to replace the worm gear, only the main gear. Instructions very good. Easy to access parts needing replacement with a little patience. Saved about $350 as the door repair company said the whole power unit needed to be replaced.

I RECEIVED MORE PARTS THAN I EXPECTED AND NEEDED FOR REPLACEMENT.EVERY THING FIT LIKE A GLOVE NO PROBLEMS.DELIVERY WAS FASTER THAN EXPECTED TOO.

LOUIE PASTOR

i ordered this so i would not have to purchase an entirely new gagage door opener. It took me about 3 hours and 3 beers to get the job done (i wonder if i drank one beer if it would take one hour). it works great and there is one less opener in the landfill. With the extra $100 bucks i saved, i took my family out to dinner. i would have given the product 5 stars but it seems silly that they make the most critical part - the gear - out of plastic. nonetheless, it was sort of fun to fix it myself with minimal tools. i think that when the other garage door goes, it will likely take about 30 - 45 minutes now that i know what i am doing.

After reading all reviews here, I thought I'd give it a try.

The gear was all shredded up and I didn't want to spend $400 on a new opener.

A few comments:
1. Yes, you need 2 people to do this job (at least to put it back up)
2. Yes, getting the pin out is very, very difficult. Make sure to get the correct tool or you are in big trouble.
3. MAKE SURE TO CHECK WHY THE GEAR WAS WORN IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!

Turns out that I spent hours getting this gear on and not having fun doing so. Started the garage door up, and turns out my limit switch was not working, therefore shredding the gear up to nothing. Check the limit switch by touching the brass contacts before you go through this nightmare. If the motor does not stop, don't waste your time. At this time, if you are not an electronics expert, you are basically out of luck.

Ended up getting a whole new opener.

If the gear is really "worn" from regular use, and that's the only problem, yes, you will save money by doing this.....but......make sure you have 3 hours, the correct tools, and some patience or beer to get you though it.

Great product, I recommend this to anyone with a garage door problem, this appears to be the most common problem with doors. All parts were included, instruction sheet was great and easy to use. I'm getting ready to order another one for a spare.

There are two gears in the opener, the white drive gear and the beige worm gear. 99 percent of the time the only gear that needs replacing in the white drive gear.
If you decide to replace the worm gear (which is rarely necessary), you'll have to remove the whole motor. Removing the motor is a hassle and takes considerable time.

This particular kit requires that the roll pins be driven out with a properly sized punch to replace the drive gear. If you have the right tools, it's no big deal but it will require some pounding with a hammer.

Here's my suggestion: Rather than buy this kit, purchase the 41C4220A kit instead. It's cost a little more but it will save you a ton of time because there's no roll pins to mess with. 41C4220A Sears Craftsman Liftmaster Gear & Sprocket Assembly Kit

Just remember, that the worm gear is rarely defective and need not be replaced. Simply brush it clean with an old toothbrush and lubricate.