Tech/maintenance Needle spring removal

[Freddie]

Before I go blundering into the workings of my horn.
Is there a technique for removing the spring from the post, please?

 

[Freddie]

Nope. The way the spring is retained in the post is that the butt end is flattened, giving it a taper, and then it's pushed into the hole in the post, pointy end first, and the taper is what holds it in the post. You remove it by taking it out the other direction. If you try to push it out in the direction it's installed, you'll either fail, or you'll succeed by ruining the hole from driving that hard steel taper through the soft brass. It HAS to come out in the OPPOSITE direction from the installation direction, in other words from the direction where the (now broken off) pointy end was.

Do NOT get phosphoric acid involved. If the thing's rusted in, what you need is penetrating oil.

But it's pretty likely that all you'll need is the pliers Pig S. pictured above, pushing the remaining bit out between the prongs of the slotted jaw. Once you get that taper started, it should pretty much fall out.

Had a great deal of success getting corroded steel from a bronze fitting using phosphoric acid. Didn’t hurt the bronze at all.
Not tried it with brass though. Not much brass in the marine industry.

I understand about the needle shape & direction. Thanks again.

I’ll cut my sacrificial pliers to the drilled hole to give me the fingers.

 

[Freddie]

Gently heat and apply some paraffin wax. Heat again and press.
Keep a wet cloth at body/ post.

No paraffin wax, any suggestions for an alternative?
I see what you mean by the shape.
Thanks again for the tips.

 

[Pete Thomas]

No paraffin wax, any suggestions for an alternative?

Maybe Vaseline?

 

[Freddie]

Maybe Vaseline?

Yep. I can get that out here.
So it’s for lubrication?
To be honest, in another month I wouldn’t need the heat gun. I could leave it out on deck!

 

[turf3]

Well, if you are some kind of marine mechanic, or have contact with such people, I'm sure they have penetrating oil. The two common US brands that come immediately to mind are Liquid Wrench and Kroil.

 

[Targa]

Coca Cola will remove rust, then that is probably the phosphoric acid in it.

 

[Freddie]

Well, if you are some kind of marine mechanic, or have contact with such people, I'm sure they have penetrating oil. The two common US brands that come immediately to mind are Liquid Wrench and Kroil.

🤣 I’m at a tiny Island in the southern Caribbean, Hurricane Beryl passed directly over us last year. Though with sail repairs, sewing machine oil is readily available!
The only penetrating oil here is WD40.
Shipping anything in takes a month, if it arrives.
You can’t really survive here, long term, if you don’t do stuff yourself & find alternatives to the norm.
Hence my nagging.

 

[turf3]

Are there any mechanics either living on your island, or passing through (for example on ships/yachts)? I'd expect any mechanic to have some penetrating oil stashed somewhere. Beg nicely and they might give you a couple ml.

 

[Targa]

🤣 I’m at a tiny Island in the southern Caribbean, Hurricane Beryl passed directly over us last year. Though with sail repairs, sewing machine oil is readily available!
The only penetrating oil here is WD40.
Shipping anything in takes a month, if it arrives.
You can’t really survive here, long term, if you don’t do stuff yourself & find alternatives to the norm.
Hence my nagging.

Why not use the WD40?
I've always found it effective.

 

[Freddie]

Are there any mechanics either living on your island, or passing through (for example on ships/yachts)? I'd expect any mechanic to have some penetrating oil stashed somewhere. Beg nicely and they might give you a couple ml.

It happens from time to time.
It’s one of the downsides of living in paradise!
That & the weather.
Pretty cool practicing on deck, for an hour either side of sundown tho’.
So ran the grinder down thru the pliers, a gentle pass with the heat gun & with some heavy vinyl between jaws & post, got the little bugger out!

Thanks to all for you advice & tips.
Just a couple of weeks for the new spring set to arrive!

 

[Colin the Bear]

I've seen some impressive videos applying a wax crayon to a warmed siezed part. Worth a try if no candles are available.

No need for special pliers if there is still a stub protruding. A nut, thick washer, short piece of tubing or a piece of wood with a hole, placed over the hole of the planished end will work. It's a friction fit so any slight movement and it'll drop out.

 

[jonf]

Why not use the WD40?
I've always found it effective.

Me too, although it was never really formulated as such - it was designed as a water dispersent, hence the name. I think I have seen a comparative test of penetrating oils and WD40, in which WD40 came out second best.

 

[PigSquealer]

No paraffin wax, any suggestions for an alternative?
I see what you mean by the shape.
Thanks again for the tips.

I thought you would have a candle ? Just a bit of birthday candle would do. Kroil, PB blaster, Liquid Wrench are better that WD-40. That’s more a water displacement oil. Good for keeping your springs from rusting. In a pinch try diesel fuel or 50/50 mix of acetone/ automatic transmission fluid. Just don’t go crazy with the heat or you’ll find the post laying on the ground.