Spring on stepper unit

[mbudman]

Hello,

I am working on a 1949 Gottlieb Basketball that has been sitting for 13 years.

One of the stepper units is not working properly. The tension from the spring does not make it return to its starting position.

Initially it was too tight, so I loosened it and it can turn quite freely now (but maybe not freely enough).

I increased tension on the spring, but it has not resolved the issue. Any suggestions?

Here are the pics:

[novaguy]

Did you pull out the the gear and clean and lube the shaft?
Ted

[sylvain]

You have to find-out what is binding. Check the advice of novaguy above.

Also make sure all ratchet parts/arms and pivots are lightly lubed and not gummed-up, so that the unit can easily ratchet up and down (or reset) mechanically/manually.
Once the rivets are cleaned, it would be a good idea to put a very tiny amount of EM special contact grease. Contact RAB at Alouette for this.

Good luck!
-Sylvain.