Re: Clicking in Rotars....hmmmm


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Posted by John Swensen on June 18, 2001 at 17:56:27:

In Reply to: Clicking in Rotars....hmmmm posted by TracyH. on June 18, 2001 at 03:09:49:

The clicking could be caused by one or more of the following:

End play (the rotors are moving parallel to their axis). To test, use two fingers to grab the stop-arm attached to the rotor, turn it until it is halfway between the bumpers, and gently try to move it up and down, parallel to the rotor axis. If it clicks, end play is at least part of the problem. To fix, tighten the screw on the bottom cap (if there is one) every so slightly, without making the rotor drag. Heavy oil (heavier than valve oil) on the spindles will damp out the clicking.

Side play (the rotor shafts or spindles) are moving perpendicular to their axes. To test, eliminate end play, then wiggle stop arm across, rather than up and down, looking for play. To fix, try using heavier oil, but the bearing may require swaging by an experienced repair person with proper tools.

Bumper plate is loose. To test, watch and feel the bumper plate as you press on a spatula. To fix, tighten the attaching screws without stripping the heads.

Bumpers worn (stop arm is hitting metal, rather than bumpers, or bumpers are too compressed). To test, look for metal-to-metal contact. To fix, replace the bumpers.

Linkage worn or out of adjustment. To test, hold the stop arm between the bumpers, then wiggle the spatula, looking for play and listening for clicks. Sometimes holding one end of the linkage will damp out that end's clicking, isolating the cause. To fix, tighten the adjustments (if any). Alternatively, heavy oil or grease will damp the clicking (for a while). Warning: some oils may attack some plastics. Really old horns may require the linkage bearings to be swaged or replaced.

Spatula axle worn. To test, grab the linkage at the end of its arm, wiggle spatula; any play should be apparent. To fix, try using heavier oil in for the axles. Spatula bearing can, also, be swaged.


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