HP LJ 1320 -- Gear Train Release Link

New fusers for the LaserJet 1320 come with a retrofit kit. The kit consists of a stamped steel link P/N RC1-3670, and a clear mylar insulator. The link's purpose is to link the cartridge access door to the fuser drive, so that opening the door disengages the fuser to facilitate clearing jams.

Included with the kit is a multilingual installation instruction booklet that sets a new standard for wretchedness in corporate technical documentation -- quite an accomplishment. Pay no attention to the booklet, it will only cause bewilderment.

The link is easy to install; it helps if you disengage the white link from the door, but it's not essential to. Don't install the link until the fuser is in place with its gear on it -- the link's presence interferes with installing/removing the fuser's gear. Following are two photographs of an installed link; both show the link in its 'cartridge access door open' position.

Here's the front end of the link.

A 'notch' in the white link pulls the steel link forward when the door is opened.

And here's the rear end of the link where it pulls a gear out of engagement when the door is opened.

You can barely see it, but just ahead of the fan is the clear mylar insulator that's added so the link can't rub two small cables. The insulator comes with pressure-sensitive adhesive on it.

It's not mandatory to install this; I know for sure of at least one guy who doesn't bother with it. What you do with it is entirely up to you.

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