The pitman is binding in it's hole. Easy way to fix is to replace the leather below and above the pitman and rebush the hole. Best way is to replace the brass pitman with a smaller diameter frictionless system. This involves using a 5/8" forstner bit to drill a flat bottomed hole where the leather was on the lever and under the damper tray about 3/8" deep. Remove the felt lining of the hole, cut two 5/8" felt punchings and a 3/8" dowel the right length. Glue the felts to the ends of the dowel and insert into position. Frictionless pitman. It is absolutely critical that you drill the holes in the exact center of the original pitman location otherwise the new one will rub on the side wall of the hole. I have done several without removing the tray. Newton Hunt nhunt@jagat.com New Brunswick, NJ
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