> Got >the action out, and the damper rod is brushing the tops of the damper >spoons as it operates. ---------------------------- >I can't imagine that the spoons have raised. --------------------------- > I think that shaving a miniscule amount of metal off the top of the >damper spoons would correct the problem, unless there is some reason that >the rod would descend further. > >Ed Carwithen Hi Ed, I can't imagine the spoons have raised either, so I wouldn't put spoon modification anywhere near the top of the list of possible fixes. That's especially considering that every spoon is nestled behind a damper lever (where you can't get to it easily) that's spring loaded (insuring it will be as much in the way as possible), and delicate enough that you'd surely generate secondary breakage repairs attempting it. At least I probably would. I'd guess hanger hinge screws or bushings are the place to start. If the screws are tight, check bushing slop. The bar could have been just barely clearing the spoons from day one, and 20 years of bushing wear might have made the difference. For a fix, I'd rebush first, then seriously consider relocating the hinges or bending or replacing the hangers and making them a bit shorter to get a little more clearance. Fifteen minutes or a half hour doing that seems a lot more preferable to me than a half day modifying spoons. The less I have to do with spoons, the happier I am - to a point. A couple of extra millimeters difference in bar height won't affect function, but will get you enough clearance to last for at least another hundred years. Then again, that's not entirely accurate. It will affect function somewhat because of the grooves worn in the damper lever felts, and you may have to touch up damper lift timing here and there to even it out to about where it was, but even so, it beats modifying spoons. Ron N
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