Expert: Michael Radi - 11/4/2008

Question
I moved my emperor clock about 6inches the other day and looked like I broke the suspension spring. I went to the web site for emperor clocks and order a couple of springs. I replaced it, but my pendulum will not stay swinging and the clock does not have the "tick tick" sound it used to. Can you help?

Answer
Assuming you put the parts back together correctly, your clock needs to be put into beat. Be sure that the leader is put on correctly (the leader hooks onto the suspension spring pins and goes through the crutch, and the pendulum hangs from it).
The clock probably got knocked out of beat. The beat is changed by pushing the crutch too far one direction or the other. Take the pendulum off but leave the other parts on. Move the leader side to side and listen for the tick. Your tick is probably off to one side and you need to get it equally centered. Meaning that the tick should happen equal distances from center. To change it push the leader or crutch to the left or right until you feel it stop. Then push it a little further. You just changed the adjustment. If you go the wrong way or too far you can correct it by doing the same thing but on the other side. Keep doing this adjustment back and forth until you get the ticks to happen equally on each side of center. The clock should actually tick on its own (although very quickly) with the pendulum off. This is a good indication that you are at least close to "in beat". Put the pendulum back on and make small adjustments to get the clock perfectly in beat.