Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 9/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: We bought a Howard Miller Grandfather clock. The chains were off when we bought it. I installed the chin with ease, the outside two work fine. the center one appears to be stripped out and will not hold the weight up. It feels like a slipping ratchet gear when I move the chain. Any ideas? The works are Kieninger SKS 12 (116 cm)

ANSWER: When HM bought the Kieninger co they cheapened the design of these chain wheels - they started failing - the new replacements work much better:

http://www.timesavers.com/catalogmain2.asp?ProductID=20679&submit1=Search

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the response, it helps. Is the replacemnt of this wheel difficult? Do you sugest replacing all three when I do the one?

Answer
no


yes

crack the two top nuts holding the plates together SLIGHTLY

remove the two bottom nuts  and CAREFULLY spread the plates abart enough to remove the chain wheels (one at a time and don't mix them up)

hopefully you can get them out without disloging any of the other gears higher up in the mechanism.