Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 7/5/2008

Question
A couple of years ago I replaced  barrel spring (which had been broken by overwinding) in a Hermle westminster mantle clock movement. I'm certain I did it without dismantling the movement because I do not have the skill or expertise to do that. I have a friend living 1000 miles from me who fools around with clocks as I do. I would classify us both in the amateur realm.     He has the same situation with an identical movement and says there is no way of replacing the spring without total disassembly. Could you tell me if I am dreaming or did I do what I said I did?        THANKS IN ADVANC FOR ANSWERING IF YOU CAN

Answer
you are not dreaming - they are replaceable without total dissasembly.

They do not break BTW due to overwinding- you just happened to be winding it when it broke due to age or defect.

The square shaft removes by pulling it out of the barrel after removal of the setscrew that hold the keeper over the ratchet gear on the front. photo : http://www.clock-keys.com/CART/images/15955.JPG

then the entire barrel slides out (middle one with difficulty)