Expert: Martin Meyer - 10/26/2009

Question
We recently moved our grandfather clock to a different location in our home, now when we walk past the clock we get noises from the chimes.  The motion of walking past causes these noises. We want to know if there are shock absorber type legs we can put on the clock as replacement for existing legs.  Thanks.

Answer
Hi Nancy,

No, there are no legs of that type available. They would cause the clock to sway due to sympathetic vibration from the pendulum. Clocks must be positioned on the floor as solidly as possible.

It is very common for the chime rods to rattle against each other, caused by nearby foot traffic. The amount varies from clock to clock, and there is often nothing you can do about this. A clockmaker can do a service call and May be able lessen the effect, but there is no guarantee that he can improve the situation. The amount that chime rods can be adjusted without breaking is extremely limited.

You should may sure that the clock is level and has no wobble from unevenly adjusted leveling feet. Do Not put a board under the clock; this will make it less stable, not more. If the clock is on a carpet, you will always have more problems than if it is on a solid floor. You should avoid placing the clock in a high-traffic area if possible, especially not in a hallway. A hallway location almost guarantees chime noises from passing traffic. The construction details of the house strongly affect how solidly a clock will sit on the floor, and so, how much chime rattling you will get. If you happen to position the clock in a spot on the floor which is right over a joist, it will be more solid than if it is midway between joists. I'm not suggesting a basement exploration of your home's construction, just pointing out contributing factors. Corner positions in rooms are likely to be very solid due to the strong construction beneath the floor in those areas.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com