3 replies to this topic

[Bruce Wilson]

Long story, but I have a tuned AFM with a lot of pedegree that seems to be corroded which is inhibiting movement of the door.  I would hate to lose this unit...  Any ideas on how to clean and restore to working order?

 

The door is not completely frozen.  It does move a half inch or so then stops like it's knocking up against something.

 

Doesn't appear to be anything on the top end, so I'm focused on internal movemet at this point.

 

It is safe to remove all the screws on the bottom of unit and have a look inside?

 

thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

-bw

[Kyle Freiheit]

You could pull it apart but then you would have to reseal it. One of my older spare AFMs is like this and my guess was that the counter balance of the flapper door is rubbing on the roof or floor. Have you tried squirting in some lubricant and working the door back and forth. Might be a good idea to hid the hinge area as well. Might just work itself out.

 

Kyle

[Bruce Wilson]

Took apart a spare to have a look and then ended up doing what you said Kyle. 

 

Working with small amounts of WD40 on the hinge, I freed up a small section at a time until it moved its full range.  Then I repeatedly worked it back and forth one section at a time to make sure it swung freely throughout its full range and finally checked to see that it returned to the contact switch.

 

Thx!

[Kyle Freiheit]

I walked out to the garage and checked a few of the ones I have.  Seems that any of them can get sticky when they aren't getting used. Glad it worked itself out Bruce.

 

Kyle