1969 Steinway L CBS?

[Newton Hunt]

Very likely the problem is the damper pitman, the brass pin going from the
damper lever to the damper tray.  

This pin does a complex dance when in action and the very best solution is to
remove the pin. enlarge the hole slightly, bore a flat bottomed 5/8" hole about
3/8" into the damper lever and in the bottom of the damper tray then cut a 3/8"
dowel the proper length and glue 5/8" diameter felt punchings to each end of the
dowel.  This pitman will remove all the friction of the original and make the
operation smooth.

The trick is to get the holes aligned exactly so the pitman does not touch the
sides of the keybed.  I have done this with just removing the original hole
lining felt and carefully marking the center of the original pitman.  I use
Forstner bits and a guide block with a hole in it the I center and clamp to the
tray and the lever.  Works except once (out of ten) I had to carve the keybed a
little.

Test every piece and component of the damper system to eliminate all other
sources of friction.

There may well be a second spring on the damper tray that can be removed but
only if the tray returns of it's own weight below the damper levers.  This
sometimes works and sometimes not so do not discard the spring if you do, leave
it inside the action box for the next technician to replace if needful.

It is possible to reduce the friction of the return spring by placing it in a
wood workers vise and carefully bending it.  Carefully measure the spring before
bending, you only need 1/8" or so difference.

		Newton