The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Anyone ever replace the spring in the bullet brake. Mine is now...unspringy

I am assuming you've cleaned and lubricated the assembly. Is that so? Jerry

If you remove the spring, you shouldn't need to replace it... just stretch it some and that will make it springy again...

Curt A wrote:If you remove the spring, you shouldn't need to replace it... just stretch it some and that will make it springy again...

How do you remove the spring?...Thats where I'm trying to be careful. Does the lever guide pin come out allowing the brake/spring to slide out rearward ?

rvwenger wrote:

Curt A wrote:If you remove the spring, you shouldn't need to replace it... just stretch it some and that will make it springy again...

How do you remove the spring?...Thats where I'm trying to be careful. Does the lever guide pin come out allowing the brake/spring to slide out rearward ?

Yes. The lever pin keeps the plunger from coming out. It needs to be removed. While you're at it, be sure the little roller on the underside of the plunger can turn free. This makes for a nice, smooth motion as the roller rolls over the lever's cam surface, as opposed to dragging across it, as many bullet brakes do because corrosion has the roller locked up.

How do you change the little leather part?

howardpgh wrote:How do you change the little leather part?

Dig the remains out with a small screwdriver and shove the new piece in