February 9, 2009 - 4:26pm
Kitchenaid 4.5 qt. pin keeps sliding out
The pin on my vintage 1974 Kitchenaid 4.5 qt. mixer keeps sliding out every time I knead in it--started happening about a week ago. I just keep pounding it back in, but am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and/or if any one knows why this keeps happening?
--Pamela
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KitchenAid has good customer support, either through their web site or by phone.
David
Since I started making artisan breads, my KA Artisan has begun to show its limitations. One of which is that when it kneads a decent-sized batch of dough, it dances all over the counter. And the cotter pin comes loose while it's dancing.
I don't use the mixer much for doughs. I either hand knead or use the stretch-and-fold method.
Hi. The "cotter pin". Nice to know what it's called (David suggested calling Kitchenaid--now at least I can tell them what the problem is). I know all about the Kitchenaid dance too; mine danced itself right off the counter several years ago! Although it sustained no apparent damage, I do keep an eye on it now (it could have fell on one of my dogs and that would have been a real tragedy!).
So the cotter pin comes loose on yours too even though it sounds like you have a relatively new machine. Strange! Mine just started doing this after over 30 years of service, and I've mixed some pretty decent-sized batches of dough over the years--I even burnt out the motor once in the late 1970s.
Although I too am using stretch and fold, I'm still using the mixer to incorporate stuff and get things going.
I'll give Kitchenaid a call and see what they have to say about this problem. David is right; they have a very responsive service department.
--Pamela
I let my KA knead on the floor.
Unless, of course, you have pets.
If you have pets and are very wealthy, you can get a Berkel with a guard!
--Pamela
...do you pay the guards per hour? Do they get breaks and everything? Do they need special training coz that could up their wages a lot.
The guard comes free with the purchase of a $2K mixer. Limit of one per family and family must be dog-owning and dog must be registered with AKA!
Just noticed the pin sticking out the other day...good thing I saw it...otherwise I guess there could have been a big bang on the counter...KA should warn about this before someone ends up with a broke foot! I didn't even know there was a pin there...till I saw it sticking out! Pushed it back in...but I know any vibration it's going to come right back out!!
Looks like several people have the same problem!!
Sylvia
Flip it over and look underneath. Up in the middle of the pin there is a set screw, just tighten it. You may need a longer screwdriver, as I did a few weeks ago when I did mine.
I took out the cotter pin, but there is no set screw on my 1976 4.5 qt. KA. What I did notice was a small "u-shaped" indentation on one side in the middle of the pin. I wonder if the pin is worn and needs to be replaced or if this is normal? Maybe the newer KAs have set screws? --Pamela
Hi Pamela,
Like everybody else on this thread, I've had the KA pin slide out. (I wouldn't call it a "cotter pin" because it doesn't have 2 separate tines, and doesn't change shape when you insert it.)
The indentation you are seeing sounds like the result of being pushed on by the set screw for a long time. Maybe you could call KA and see if the set screw is the same for your older mixer as the ones they're producing these days? Even on a newer model, without the set screw, and without its being tight, the pin just doesn't stay put.
David
I might just go over to a Hobart service center that is pretty close to my house. I'll post again after I've figured out what is going on. --Pamela
Thanks from me too! Just last week or so, the pin came almost all the way out before I noticed. We pushed it back in, but I'm going to look underneath and see what I can do. I have an Artisan that is about 1 1/2 years old. It doesn't dance much, but it gets quite warm sometimes. So far so good.
Marni
I've been seeing the pin on mine drift out for eons and never even bothered to flip the thing to look and there's the screw right there. (Plain flat head, in case you're wondering, very easy to get to). Two seconds of work and the problem's fixed.
Thanks!!
It never occurred to me to do anything but keep on whacking the pin back in, but the last time I did it, it stayed put. If it happens again, now I'll know what to do.
I didn't know there was a screw that I could have tightened. I just wrapped some duct tape around it. Then I upgraded to a 6 qt.