Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 1/12/2009

Question
Hi Ken, the chime side of the train free wheels with the chain having no back pressure. The weight will go to the floor if you don't hold it. The click spring on the chain wheel is intact and rachets fine. The gong and time chains are working correctly. I have some limited knowledge on clocks as a hobby but I do not see anything missing or broke. The chain wheel does rachet but does'nt lock in place with downward pressure. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks and best regards, Tony

Answer
time to replace the chain wheel! not sure what broke but it is not repairable I suspect. Any clock shop can give you a used chime chain wheel from an old junk Hermle - remove the mechanism from the clock-loosen the pillar nuts on that side of the mechanism and pry the plates apart with your fingers just enough to remove the old wheel and pop in the replacement--easy fix or get a pro to do it. or buy a new movement, yours is quite old.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Hermle-movement-451-050-New-Grandfather-Clock_W0QQitemZ22033...