Damper lift rod grinding

[piannaman at aol.com]

Michelle,
 
Make sure there is clearance between the trap levers.  I've seen them rubbing together causing hideous noises!  Don't remember if it was on a Steinway or not.
 
Dave Stahl, RPT

Dave Stahl Piano Service
650-224-3560
dstahlpiano at sbcglobal.net
http://dstahlpiano.net/


-----Original Message-----
From: paulrevenkojones at aol.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Tue, 1 May 2007 1:10 PM
Subject: Re: Damper lift rod grinding


Michelle:
 
If you're entirely certain that it's the Pitman (the metal rod) through the keybed, then there are several dimensions you have to examine. The rod is bushed through the keybed and may be overlubricated with some greasy gunk that has hardened over the years, or the bushinig itself may be worn and need to be replaced at the same time that you polish the Pitman to a gleam and only lubricate with TFL-50 Dry. Then there are the two ends of the rod one of which contacts the damper tray on a piece of buckskin which may also be suffering from the same lubrication abuse, or worn through from use; certainly it's indented from constant use and could use replacement; it would help in regulating the damper tray lift. At the other end, the Pitman contacts the trapwork in an small hole in the topside of the lever which you will have to drop down by turning the stop out of the way (or does this model have a stop screw?), exposing the topside of the lever. My bet, really, is that the trap spring is what is causing the noise; it is either broken and grinding into the wood, or so worn into the bushing leather that has been lubrication abused and become hard that a groan or grind is coming from it. If it really is the Pitman, there are some nifty fixes that completely isolate the dowel from the sides of the hole through the keybed. If you interested.....? But confirm your diagnosis first. I have never experienced a "grind" from the Pitman: certainly binding, some forms of groans and squawks, etc.
 
Paul
 
"If you want to know the truth, stop having opinions" (Chinese fortune cookie)
 
 
In a message dated 05/01/07 13:09:55 Central Daylight Time, michelle at smithpianoservice.com writes:
Hi all.  I have a 1951 Steinway S here at the house that has started making a grinding noise when the damper pedal is pushed.  I’ve isolated it to the metal rod that comes through the keybed and lifts the dampers.  Being a newbie, I want to get some suggestions from y’all before I begin.  
 
Thanks for your help.
 
Michelle Smith
Smith Piano Service
Bastrop, Texas
(512) 466-0238
michelle at smithpianoservice.com
 
 
 
 
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