Expert: William J Perkins - 7/6/2008

Question
William, I have 2 HTU-3 movements about 3 years old.  One of the movements started to make a rubbing noise with each revolution of the left weight crank. The other started to make the same noise in the center weight only its getting more pronounced. I have oiled all oil sumps that I could identify on both movements with the oiler provided.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Richard Womeldorff

Answer
This is weird.  I would guess the dials might have shifted slightly, or the seating of the movement to the seat board has shifted, (highly unlikely) and the key is rubbing the keyhole grommet as you wind.  Another possibility is the offending winding shaft has become bent.  If it were not for this affliction effecting two clocks I would suspect dirt as the culprit.  Your description throws me,  without actually seeing the problem clocks I simply do not know what to tell you.  I would suggest you call in a qualified clock repair person, this could become serious.  Regards WJP