Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 1/20/2008

Question
QUESTION: We have a wall clock with a Franze Hermle 141-070 movement.  We recently moved and the packers were a bit rough in their packing of this clock.  The suspension spring was broken off and the suspension leader is missing.  Can you advise where I may obtain these parts?  Is the replacement of these parts something that a layman can successfully do on his own?

ANSWER: probably the following:
http://www.timesavers.com/catalogmain2.asp?ProductID=15893%2C20802&submit1=Searc

yes you can do it yourself. the back plate where you got the 141-070 number also has the length in CM  that the penulum unit will be from the hanging round post where the suspension unit is pinned or screwed to the bottom of the pendulum regulating nut- so check approx lengths as the leaders come in five diff. lengths but 4" is usual

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your help.  I have a follow-up question.  I replaced the suspension spring and leader and re-installed the movement and pendulum, but now it won't stay runing.  Could there be another part missing I'm not aware of?  Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Answer
probably out of beat- tick not even- read further.
-The pendulum assembly begins at the top with a 1" two legged suspension spring pinned to a brass post sticking out of the back of the rear movement plate.
  Next a silver(probably) suspension leader about 5" long that hooks onto the bottom of the suspension spring and passes through the "foot" shaped forked brass piece (and must be in the center of the fork slot and not be rubbing front or back) that connects into the inside of the movement.
  Lastly the top of the pendulum hooks onto the bottom of this suspension leader. NOW if all is correctly assembled, swinging the pendulum will get it ticking. The sound of the ticking must sound even or balanced on either side. Not over-swinging one side or the other.
  If it is not sounding even, then push with your hand the top third of the pendulum over to the side that has the excessive overswing. You may feel some resistance but gently push a bit more then try the sound of the ticking after swinging the pendulum freely.
  If the sound is not improved in the balance then do more pushing -if it is now sounding like excessive swing in the opposite direction then push the pendulum to the other side till it sounds a pretty even tick. Clock should run then. .(There is a little slip clutch that you are adjusting when you push the "L" shaped foot to either side.)
  There are a hundred things that could be wrong- you have just taken a tour through the repair of what is wrong 98% of the time!