Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 10/12/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have a clock made in West Germany(bought in Italy) that has the markings in the back of the clock mechanism of 84 over the letters FHS below 1151-053HK2S below that 94cm/66.  Ever since it was movwed it will not stay running. I have made it level in all directions. It will run for a few minutes and stop. By looking in the back at the part that swings back and forth on the gear to keep it running it barely touches the teeth.  It appears like the pendelum does not swing far enough to make the swing part to go further into the gear.  It has 3 weights two the same weight and one much heavier.  Two have hooks and the one for the chimes has an eye on it.  Also I noticed now that the chimes don't run fast enough unless you pull down of the weight.  Can you offer any suggestions.  The clock was purshased new in 1986 and was running fine until some workers moved it.

ANSWER: 1984 manufacture date makes it overdue for cleaning and or overhaul and or replacement
heavy weight goes on the right side

probably the sitting that did it in rather than the moving.

make sure the pendulum is connected to the crutch foot coming out of the mechanism

run through this :

The pendulum assembly begins at the top with a 1" two legged suspension spring pinned to a brass post sticking out of the back of the rear movement plate.
  Next a silver(probably) suspension leader about 5" long that hooks onto the bottom of the suspension spring and passes through the "foot" shaped forked brass piece (and must be in the center of the fork slot and not be rubbing front or back) that connects into the inside of the movement. Newer movements have a horizontal bar that fits in the brass suspension leader slot.
  Lastly the top of the pendulum hooks onto the bottom of this suspension leader. NOW if all is correctly assembled, swinging the pendulum will get it ticking. The sound of the ticking must sound even or balanced on either side. Not over-swinging one side or the other.
  If it is not sounding even, then push with your hand the top third of the pendulum over to the side that has the excessive overswing. You may feel some resistance but gently push a bit more then try the sound of the ticking after swinging the pendulum freely.
  If the sound is not improved in the balance then do more pushing -if it is now sounding like excessive swing in the opposite direction then push the pendulum to the other side till it sounds a pretty even tick. Clock should run then. .(There is a little slip clutch that you are adjusting when you push the "L" shaped foot to either side.)
  There are a hundred things that could be wrong- you have just taken a tour through the repair of what is wrong 98% of the time!


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

QUESTION: The tick seems to be even, but I cannot hear a distinct tick until I add an additiional weight to the center weight.  With the additional weight the clock will run for about an hour then stop.  Again I will appreciate any suggestions you can offer.  Without the extra weight it only runs for a couple of minutes.  THANKS

Answer
  I think we are down to the initial thought:

1984 manufacture date makes it overdue for cleaning and or overhaul and or replacement

Like here if you want to do it yourself:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hermle-1151-053-New-Clock-Movement-Grandfather-/22085553