pedal lift rod squeal

[Overs Pianos]

Hi all,

Some good suggestions have been posted already. Another trap, if 
you'll excuse the pun, is with new or rebuilt pianos when a 
manufacturer insist on lacquering the entire pedal rods. The 
lacquered parts which run through the guide bushes, and the lower end 
which runs in the pedal bush, will very often get noisy as the 
lacquer galls. We had this problem with our earlier-rebuilt pianos on 
a couple of occasions, since one of our guys had trouble living with 
rods which weren't all-over lacquered. However, removing the lacquer 
from the rod length which travels through the bush and the ends will 
very often help a noise situation.

Another problem with pedal rods is that manufacturers sometimes 
assume that pedal levers are for some reason immune from the circular 
motion friction problems that can plaque the levers in the action 
mechanism. So its not uncommon to find sustain pedal under-keybed 
levers which are not set square to the pedal rods at half travel. If 
this is ignored the pedal mechanism will ultimately get noisy at the 
interface between the brass pedal rod and the lever, regardless of 
how well the surfaces are prepared by polishing and lubricating. 
Sometimes the pedal arrangement needs to be completely rebuilt with 
an improved leverage system. If the damper head/pedal ratio isn't 
within the range of 2.5 - 3.4, it may be worth revising the ratio at 
the same time. Around 3:1, ie around 13 - 14 mm of pedal tip travel 
(excluding pedal free play) with around 4.5 mm of damper head lift 
will work just fine.

Best,
Ron O.

>Don,
>
>Greg's suggestion sounds like a good, permanent one.  I've used 
>a petroleum jelly-based concoction (mixed with teflon powder and 
>Protek).  It is longer lasting than most lubes, but the application 
>has to be done occasionally.
>
>Dave Stahl
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Greg Newell <gnewell at ameritech.net>
>To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
>Sent: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 09:28:06 -0500
>Subject: Re: pedal lift rod squeal
>Don,
>	I've only had success when I've adopted advice from one of 
>the kind ladies of this list who shared , some time ago I might add, 
>that we should get rid of the little rubber grommets and such and 
>felt line the arm like it's been done in the past. It Might have 
>been Susan as I seem to remember her mixture of super glue and white 
>glue to adhere the two ends of the felt together after being passed 
>through the pedal arm hole. Do this twice (one for each side of the 
>hole) and you're set. No more squeaks. Some things just don't need 
>to be reinvented.
>
>best,
>Greg


-- 
OVERS PIANOS - SYDNEY
    Grand Piano Manufacturers
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