Repairing a sealed guitar tuning machine

[wolf]

As I was changing guitar strings, the part of the tuning machine where the string wraps around (blue arrow) popped out.

If this were not a sealed tuner, I would just put the part back in and tighten the screw (red arrow) that attaches it. Since it is a sealed tuner, it does not have that screw. Basically, how are these things constructed anyway? Do I just have to buy a new tuning machine?

[cynical1]

Well...probably not...

Most sealed tuners aren't worth the time to disassemble them versus replacing them.

Even if you do remove the seal on the back, getting it back in can be problematic if not impossible...and depending on what failed you may not be able to re-attach the peg successfully.

I've seen about every type of tuner on eBay as a solo item for less the $10.00. If you've got an old school music store in your area odds are they've got one laying around in a cardboard box just waiting for someone to unload it on. If it were me that's the way I'd go.

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[wolf]

So, I guess what you are saying is that it is not worth trying to repair it?
Did this tuning peg have a screw that was holding it in place or was this all part of one big piece which has now broken?

[cynical1]

Hard to say without ripping it apart. It may have had a screw, it may have been pressed in...

What does the end of the peg look like that came out?

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[sumgai]

wolf,

Moreover, does it rattle? If not, then there's little likelyhood of a loose screw under the cover. At that point, I'd hazard a guess that the post was press-fitted into the gear, and you're not equipped to fix that correctly...... are you?

If it does rattle, then take a jeweler's screwdriver through the post hole, and punch out the back cover. Fix the innards as required, and replace the cover - carefully! It ain't gonna be easy, and as c1 warns, it may not be do-able at all (replacing the cover, that is), but at this point, you're attempting to save the hassle of fetching a replacement unit, as opposed to trying to save the unit itself.

HTH




sumgai

[wolf]

Okay the tuning peg looks like this:

The "notch" on the left side fits into the "slot" on the tuning machine gear quite well, indicating no breakage. The "notch" also has threading on the inside of it which suggests it might have had a screw attached to it.
There is no rattling sound when shaken so I guess it probably wasn't attached by a screw.
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Well sumgai, I tried your suggestion for "punching" out the back - and it worked!!
There is a small screw in back there and I guess the thick grease prevented it from rattling. After reconnecting the screw to the tuning peg, the back replaced rather neatly. I guess if you work carefully, (as is the case with wiring), this can be done rather neatly and with no damage whatsoever. I didn't think this was fixable at all.

Thanks again.

[cynical1]

Very good. Usually for every one you can get the coverplate back on there's 3-4 that just won't go...or just won't stay.

And it's a bit late to mention it now, but a little Loc-tite on the screw when you re-attach it generally prevents it from coming out again. I do this on my bass tuners when I first get the set, but I tend to favor exposed gear tuners.

Myself, I take tuner failures like light bulbs blowing out. Once one in the set goes it's likely this will become a recurring event, so I start looking for a replacement set. Thankfully, bass tuners, especially the exposed gear type, tend to be very hardy animals.

If you ever needed an excuse to buy a new set, you've got one now...

Happy Trails

Cynical One

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