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Makita Drill Chuck Problems

Makita is a power tool company based in Japan that produced the first rechargeable drill. Their drills are usually extremely reliable and durable. A drill chuck is where you insert the drill bits or other rotating tools into the drill. Despite Makita’s excellent reputation, there have been numerous complaints about problems with drill bits becoming loosened from the drill chuck or slipping out of the drill chuck during drilling. Read on to learn how to troubleshoot these issues so that you can quickly determine the cause of the Makita Drill Chuck problems so that you can efficiently resolve them.

A common issue with Makita drill chucks is that they can become jammed or stuck, often due to the accumulation of dirt and debris. To fix a jammed chuck, first, try cleaning it with compressed air or a brush to remove any debris. If the chuck is still stuck, apply a penetrating oil, let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently tap the chuck with a hammer to loosen it.

Man using drill in the wood

If the chuck on your Makita drill is slipping and not holding the bit securely, it might be due to worn-out jaws inside the chuck. In this case, the solution is to replace the chuck. Unscrew the old chuck from the drill, usually by turning it counterclockwise, and screw on a new one. Ensure the replacement chuck is compatible with your Makita drill model.

Makita Drill Chuck Stuck Open

Man using drill in the metal

If your Makita Drill Chuck is stuck open, it is indeed frustrating and aggravating as well as annoying. Luckily, you can resolve this issue by following the steps as outlined below.

If your Makita Drill Chuck is stuck in an open position, look carefully to determine if the screw that is inside the drill chuck is fully fastened tightly. If the screw is loose, use an appropriate screwdriver to fasten the screw tightly.

You will need to turn the screw in a counterclockwise direction.

Makita Drill Chuck Won’t Release/Loosen/Open

Man using drill in the wood

If your Makita Drill Chuck won’t release or open, you can try to use a Channel Lock Pliers to release it.

If you want to know how to fix a Makita Drill Chuck that won’t release or loosen or open, release it by first using a Channel Lock Pliers to loosen it. Now, take out the drill bit and close the Maita Drill Chuck and make sure that the jaws are aligned.

Makita Drill Chuck Won’t Tighten

Man using drill in the wood

If your Makita Drill Chuck won’t tighten it is usually because of a loose or worn-out ring. This can be easily remedied by following a few steps to tighten the chuck.

If you want to know how to fix a Makita Drill Chuck that won’t tighten, go ahead, and hold onto the ring. Now, turn the sleeve in a counterclockwise manner which will open the Chuck’s Jaws. Then, place the drill bit into the Chuck and insert it completely.

Hold onto the Ring in a firm manner, turning the sleeve clockwise, which will tighten the Chuck.

Makita Drill Chuck Slipping

Man using drill in the wood

The slipping of a Makita drill chuck is often due to worn-out chuck jaws. Over time, the jaws can become smooth and lose their grip on the drill bit. The solution is to replace the chuck. First, remove the old chuck by unscrewing it, and then screw in a new chuck compatible with your drill model, ensuring it’s securely attached.

Another reason for a chuck slipping could be a dirty or greasy chuck. If the chuck is coated with dirt, grease, or drilling by-products, it can lose grip. Clean the chuck thoroughly with a suitable cleaner and wipe it dry. Make sure to clean both the inside and the outside of the chuck to ensure maximum grip on the drill bit.

Improperly inserted drill bits can also lead to chuck slipping. Always ensure that the drill bit is inserted straight and as deep as possible into the chuck before tightening. If the bit is inserted at an angle or not deep enough, the chuck might not hold it securely, leading to slipping during operation. Double-check the bit’s alignment and depth every time you insert it to prevent this issue.

Makita Drill Chuck Wobble Fix

Man using drill in the wood

If your Makita Drill Chuck is wobbling, it is not only frustrating, but it can also be dangerous. Wobbling of the Drill Chuck can often result from significant wear and tear from many years of use. Read on to learn more about how to fix a wobbly Makita Drill Chuck.

If you want to know how to fix a Makita Drill Chuck Wobble problem, try to tighten the Chuck. You can do this by taking off the battery pack and then moving the Rotation Direction Selector to the Off Position, which is the middle setting.

Makita Drill Not Spinning/Not Turning

Man using drill in the wood

If your Makita Drill is not spinning and is not turning, it is beyond frustrating and can stop you in your tracks when trying to complete an important project. If this is happening, follow the troubleshooting steps as outlined below to rapidly resolve this issue.

If you want to know how to fix your Makita Drill not spinning and not turning, it is probably from a problem with the main internal parts of the drill. Check the integrity of the gear case and the transmission. Also, check the spindle and the Chuck as well as all gears and knobs.

 Then, be sure to replace any of those that are worn out or defective.

Makita Drill Keeps Spinning

Man using drill in the metal

If your Makita Drill keeps spinning but the Chuck is staying stationary, it is usually from a problem with the Gear Case. The gear itself consists of a clutch and a transmission. After a long term of use, the gear case tends to simply wear out, which is indicated by a grinding sound when the drill bit spins.

If you want to know how to fix a Makita Drill that keeps spinning, first, remove the Makita Drill Handle. Now, take off the Chuck. Depending on the model of Makita Drill that you may have, you may need to use either a flathead or a Phillips screwdriver to remove the Chuck.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on March 9, 2022.

Then, use an Allen Wrench to remove the Makita Drill Chuck. Take off the cover, which will then allow you to take the Gear Case out.

Makita Drill Keeps Stopping

Man using drill in the wood

If your Makita Drill keeps stopping, it could be due to something as simple as one of the switches being in the wrong position and the drill subsequently being in neutral or slipping in and out of an off position. If this is not causing the problem, then the issue may be due to a power or a battery problem.

If you want to know how to fix your Makita Drill that keeps stopping, test the battery charger and the battery itself. Use a Multimeter to check the integrity of the charger and of the battery. You can also try to remove the battery entirely.

Then, insert the Backup Battery to see if this resolves the problem. You can also try to use a brand-new battery to see if the previous battery was simply worn out or defective.

Makita Drill Keeps Cutting Out

Man using drill in the wood

If your Makita Drill keeps cutting out, it is indeed nerve wracking and upsetting. Having a drill that seems to have a mind of its own and cutting in and out at will is maddening. Luckily, you can determine the cause of this issue by following some simple troubleshooting steps as outlined below.

If you want to know how to fix your Makita Drill that keeps cutting out, first, check the power cord to make sure it is not frayed or shorted out. Then, go ahead and evaluate the power switch. If your Makita Drill has contacts that are dirty or defective, it will affect the power.

It will affect the power to the drill by causing the power to the drill to cease on an intermittent basis. If this is the case, spray on some Contact Cleaner.

Spray the Contact Cleaner into the Switch Assembly and repeat this process over and over for about ten or twelve times and then repeat the process again.

You should also be sure to clean the battery contacts as well in case they have gotten covered with particles of dirt as well.

You can also try to evaluate the entire gear assembly of your Makita Drill to see if a problem with this could cause your drill to keep cutting out.

To access the gear assembly, first remove the Chuck. First, open the Chuck as wide as possible. Find the retaining screw on the inside which has a reverse thread. So, it is necessary to turn your screwdriver clockwise to remove it.

Once this large screw has been removed, then, remove the Chuck by using a Large Allen Wrench. Insert it into the Chuck just like you would insert a normal drill bit. Rotate it around until you see it extending past the drill.

Now, you can use the extended Allen Wrench as a Lever.  Take a hammer and, with a swift, forceful motion, bang the Allen Wrench with it , which will then break the Chuck free so that you are able to unscrew it.

Unscrew the Allen Wrench in a counterclockwise direction and then remove the battery.

Then take off the rear cover, which is held on with two different screws.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on March 9, 2022.

Now, take off the housing. It is very important at this point to release the Heat Sink (which dissipates heat away from the transistor) away from the motor and carefully pull it away from the motor.

Rock the Gear Assembly upwards slightly and be careful as you move the gear selector as there are a couple of springs on its back side that can be easily lost.

Now you can go ahead and install a new Gear Assembly. Be sure to put the Gear Selector back onto the Gear Assembly.

It should fit over a little post and the springs go right around either side of the post.

Now, line up the gears on the motor with the gears on the Gear Assembly.

Press the two of them together and now go ahead and place the gear assembly back into the motor housings.

Take as much time as you need for this process and be sure to line everything up exactly. There is a notch on the back side of the field that will lock back into the housing.

Now, push the heat sink back into place as well and you should be able to hear it click into place.

Now that you have a new Gear Assembly in place, you can go ahead and replace the housing by screwing all the screws previously removed back into place.

Now, you can go ahead and replace the Rear Cover on the drill.

Before you do this, however, it is exceedingly important to check the brush springs while you still have the Gear Box removed.

Make sure that they are still in place. If everything still looks good, press the cover back on and go ahead and secure it with the two screws.

At this point, screw the Chuck back onto the Spindle and open the Chuck back up to replace the Retaining Screw.

Remember that it is a reverse thread, so use a counterclockwise motion to tighten it back in.  

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