Changing metal Schulmerich spring

[TimR]

I'm subbing at another church Sunday and their borrowed set has an apparently random sprinkling of the old bronze (I assume) springs.  (They plussed up for a special event, using two sets of Schullies.)  This makes me nervous as these bells are very old.  I would like to be ready just in case.  

I've never changed one.  I have only one metal spring in my church's set, and it's on a cracked bell we don't use.  I've read here in this group that they can be a pain.  

I read the Schulmerich maintenance instructions.  They reference two approaches if I understood correctly.  One is to grab the old spring with pliers and bend it until it breaks off, leaving a stub inside the yoke.  The other is to tap out the axle pin, remove the shaft, and pull the spring off the back.  ?  Seems like some handwaving there - did I basically get it?  That doesn't sound all that hard, unless there's something that usually goes wrong. 

Weird that there's nothing on YouTube I could find.  

[RANDALL DEARTH]

Safest method tonn no prevent damage to anything is not difficult and is actually quite quick. Unscrew the cap screw that resides inside the handle. This allows the bell to separate into three parts - the handle, the casting, and the clapper assembly. Mind the bushing that sits between the casting and the clapper assembly. Remove the stop nuts, neoprene bumpers, and anti-friction washers. Place the yoke (the U-shaped block that holds the clapper assembly together) over an open vise or a wooden block with a hole in it, and drive out the axle. The clapper shaft should now come out. IMPORTANT: scribe the clapper shaft and the shaft block with a line to ensure that the shaft goes back in with the correct orientation. Now remove the shaft. You can now remove the broken spring for replacement. Replacement springs are particular to the bell, so make sure your replacement is the proper size for your bell! Reverse the process for assembly!

Go forth and ring, with the heart-warming sense of accomplishment and joyful noise!

Randy

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[Debbie Shaw]

Hi Tim, 

I own original Schulmerich bells from 1969 and actually did the conversion from metal springs at my church in the 80's.

#1 since you mentioned these are borrowed bells you should make sure the owners know if repairs are needed.

#2 if you drive out that axle pin in the yoke block you risk invalidating any factory warranty that may still be in place 

#3 you do not need to drive out the axle pin to change springs on Schulmerich!

You do need to remove the yoke assembly from the bell.  Remove the lock nuts, bumpers, and anti friction washers.  Then break the old metal spring off.  If it's already broken it may just fall off!   The new springs are a black rubber material.   Remove the clapper head and pay attention to the settings and all the pieces (quick adjust, weights, etc depending on the bell). Push the new spring down the shaft until it seats properly in the yoke assembly.  Replace the anti friction washers, bumpers, and lock nuts.  Do not tighten yet!    Replace the clapper head with all the washers or parts.    Then reassemble the bell with the handle screw.

Finally you can adjust the spring tension for optimal ringing.

IMO if the metal spring is not broken through (and the clapper is just bouncing), don't mess with it.  Let the owner decide if and when to replace.  

Debbie Shaw

[TimR]

On Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 6:05:33 PM UTC-4 dsdann...@gmail.com wrote:

IMO if the metal spring is not broken through (and the clapper is just bouncing), don't mess with it.  Let the owner decide if and when to replace.  

Debbie Shaw

Thanks.  I don't intend to mess with anything that's remotely ringable or could be omitted, I just wanted to know how to do it if really necessary.  It sounds as if the usual spring replacement process will work in an emergency, and the yoke axle method is really the correct way to go given ideal conditions and plenty of time.  I've done a large number of spring changes, as ours seemed to all break over a couple of years, probably age related, then settled down.  

I know my spare parts kit came with index pins; I had a vague memory there used to be a spare axle or two but I don't see it in the current catalog so I'm probably wrong.   

I do find it curious that an obviously older set of bells should have so many metal springs left.  

[Debbie Shaw]

Several years ago Schulmerich changed their catalog of parts to reflect new policies.   So axle pins and nyliners are no longer sold to individuals.  I was told that Schulmerich was getting too many bells sent in for repairs due to damaged yoke blocks caused by poorly done "repairs" by individuals.  Company decided that they will no longer cover yoke blocks under warranty if damaged by untrained persons.  They quit selling the parts for the yoke blocks.  Only Authorized Factory Repair people can get those parts.

My 1969 bells still have all their metal springs.  One bell has a slight crack forming in the spring and I am watching it.  Those metal springs lasted a very long time!  I am lucky if I get a few years out of the new "rubber" ones.  They dry out and break easily.  Fortunately they are a 5 minute replacement when that happens. Unscrew the clapper head change the spring, put the clapper head back on. Re-balance the spring. 

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[TimR]

Update:  I had a chance before the performance to inspect all the bells carefully.  There was one metal spring with a crack just starting to form, the rest were fine.  I was able to talk to the person who was responsible for the bells and warn her to watch that one.  This set is rarely used and that one may never break all the way.  She had replaced some of the previous metal springs.