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I have a VV-VI and assumed that it had a broken spring as it wouldn't wind. Decided to attempt my first motor rebuild and plan on ordering new springs from Ron Sitko. Everything came apart pretty easy and don't have any injuries from removing the springs (removed them in a 5 gallon bucket). However, in looking at the spring barrel, something doesn't look right with the "anchor point" on the bottom spring. To me it looks like the metal "hook" is bent - I've attached a picture and hopefully it's clear. If this is bent, is it a matter of bending it back, or is the anchor "hook" already weakened?

Edit: I attached an extremely crude drawing of how I believe the spring "anchor ends" should be. The round thing on the bottom of the metal "anchor" is the rivet that holds them on

You're absolutely right - the "hook" has been bent. I've never seen this before. Perhaps this happened when someone insisted on forcing the crank after the mainsprings were fully wound...

You may as well bend the hood back into proper shape. If it doesn't work, these spring barrels are quite common and inexpensive.

Good luck!

George P.

Thanks - I will try bending the hooks and see what happens. Quick question, should the top part of the hook be somewhat more parallel with the spring barrel wall as my crude drawing shows? Even with the hook closest to the top of the barrel, it seems it might be bent up slightly as well? I don't know how a normal one of these looks and want to make sure I get it right. Thanks!

I'm struggling to understand your question, but I think your best bet is to examine the outer ends of the mainsprings that lock into those hooks. The shape of the mainsprings should tell you what you want to know. You want those mainspring ends locked in as flat as possible against the side of the spring barrel.

George P.

I've just taken the springs out of one of these motors (HMV 32), so took note for you, The top part should lie parallel to the side of the drum. If it sticks out towards the centre, it will wear the next coil of the spring.

Barry

Thank you - that makes sense. Looks like both of mine need some attention then, the innermost one more than the other.