Something broke on my crank/tensioner

[!<-_->!]

To preface, I have an Ektelon Model H

So I was stringing earlier and the string got caught in the crank area. I tugged it a bit and then afterward when I tried to tension (string removed from caught area) the pin/lever that indicates that the tension is set doesn't work anymore. Instead of just flicking out partially, it goes all the way and hits the plastic housing. I noticed on the ground later that a piece of plastic from somewhere broke off.

Has anyone had this happen to them before?

Would it be cheaper to send this to that one place that services Prince Neos/Eketlons or invest in a Wise tension head or perhaps even a new machine

 

[Lakers4Life]

Got pictures? Call tennis machines, they should be able to send you the parts you need.

 

[!<-_->!]

 

[dancraig]

There is an adjustment for how far the pop out lever travels. Maybe the piece of broken plactic was just a piece of the cover.

 

[dancraig]

I think it is that large hex nut on the axis of the lever.

 

[dancraig]

Put a hex wrench in the socket. On the opposite side there should be a bolt head, hold that with a wrench. Turn both hex wrench and wrench at the same time, in the same direction until the the pop out lever is about one and a quarter inches from the catch. When in place, hold the hex side steady and tighten down the wrench side. Do not over tighten as this could make the tensioner hard to move.

These directions are for an Eagnas.

 

[Lakers4Life]

The brake pad will usually keep the lever from going all the way back. I think Dan is right, you might need to adjust the clamping part. All lock-out tension heads are very similar in the braking (lock) mechanism. You may need to replace the brake pad.

This is from a Gamma manual, but look on page 13. http://206.210.94.83/collaterals/pdf/5003_manual2.pdf

 

[MAX PLY]

The locking lever can be adusted using the hex wrench (into hex socket shown in your pic) and a 7/16 wrench on the cap screw directly opposite the other side of the tension head. Turn the hex wrench and the 7/16 wrench in unison and in the same direction (forward or clockwise) until the lever is in the right position. Once there, hold the hex wrench steady and tighten the 7/16 wrench (clockwise). Page 10 of the H manual gives you a few more details.

If you actually broke something, send it to tennismachines dot com to get it reconditioned. They should be able to fix anything that might have happened. Good luck.

 

[!<-_->!]

So I tried to use a wrench on the opposite of the bolt pictured, but I'm running into difficulty. There is not enough space to rotate the wrench once in place.

 

[MAX PLY]

So I tried to use a wrench on the opposite of the bolt pictured, but I'm running into difficulty. There is not enough space to rotate the wrench once in place.

I am not sure what you mean? What is obstructing the wrench?

 

[!<-_->!]

The spring that is used to adjust the tension setting. I don't have the exact size wrench so I'm using an adjustable wrench. It's bulkier so that may be why.

 

[dancraig]

The spring that is used to adjust the tension setting. I don't have the exact size wrench so I'm using an adjustable wrench. It's bulkier so that may be why.

Yeah, I think I see what you mean. You will need to find a wrench.
Put the wrenches on and turn the pop out lever back up. Tighten it down on the wrench side, just a little. Maybe that will fix it.

 

[brownbearfalling]

Your broken crank is a perfect reason to upgrade to a wise head.

 

[!<-_->!]

Your broken crank is a perfect reason to upgrade to a wise head.

Haha. It is.... If I could afford to spend that 495+tax.... 550 is a lot of money. I don't string enough to warrant investing that amount of money. I'm in college still and once I graduate the amount I string will drastically decrease. At the moment I only string about 15-20 frames a month and the money I make from it is not enough to cover the price of the Wise head.

 

[Lakers4Life]

Your options now are to either send it to TM to get it rebuilt for about $75 (if you can't fix it) or $550 for a Wise.

 

[mad dog1]

i'd say send it to JC at Tennis Machines for a rebuild. JC is great! i just called him to order a new disc brake for my neos. didn't ask him how to assemble or take apart the brake, but he voluntarily shared some tips to make sure i properly reassembled the brake.

 

[!<-_->!]

Alright. So I got a 7/16 wrench and tried it out. However, I don't see how anything changes. It just seems for some odd reason that the spring goes from pulled at full tension to not as tightly pulled when the tension locks out on the crank to full tension to no tension at all on the spring. I don't know how the 7/16 sized bolt would fix that. Hopefully this makes sense.

Thanks

 

[dancraig]

To preface, I have an Ektelon Model H

So I was stringing earlier and the string got caught in the crank area. I tugged it a bit and then afterward when I tried to tension (string removed from caught area) the pin/lever that indicates that the tension is set doesn't work anymore. Instead of just flicking out partially, it goes all the way and hits the plastic housing. I noticed on the ground later that a piece of plastic from somewhere broke off.

Has anyone had this happen to them before?

Would it be cheaper to send this to that one place that services Prince Neos/Eketlons or invest in a Wise tension head or perhaps even a new machine

So, could you adjust the "pin/lever" to stop about 1 1/4 in. from the catch?

 

[dancraig]

Release the pin/lever, put the wrenches on both sides and turn the pin/lever back up to about 1 1/4 in. from the catch. Tighten down the nut side just a little. Engage the pin/lever back in the catch and pull some tension and see if it pops out and stops at the 1 1/4 in. from catch position.

 

[!<-_->!]

Ah, I see. Thanks. Now I have to find a wrench large enough for the pin/lever side. All my wrenches are too small. Sigh.

 

[!<-_->!]

I'm also re-examining the piece I found on the ground that I assume broke off and can't figure out for the life of me where it belongs or how it even affected the pin/lever release

 

[dancraig]

Ah, I see. Thanks. Now I have to find a wrench large enough for the pin/lever side. All my wrenches are too small. Sigh.

It looks like the pin/lever side needs a hex wrench.
If there is one that came with the machine, that will probably fit.

 

[dancraig]

I'm also re-examining the piece I found on the ground that I assume broke off and can't figure out for the life of me where it belongs or how it even affected the pin/lever release

Sounds like the lever was traveling too far and hit the plastic cover and broke off a piece. If so, that's good because it shouldn't really affect anything.

 

[dancraig]

Or it could have been a cover piece on the tip of the lever.

 

[dancraig]

The pop out lever has to be adjusted like this once in a while. I adjusted mine last night.
I suppose yours could have been a little loose. You got the string around it and pulled on the string. This could have pulled the lever all the way down.
If that is it, you can fix it.

 

[!<-_->!]

I feel like the larger hex nut.. the one w/ the lever and spring attached, is too far/there's too much free space. But I don't understand how to tighten that w/out removing the spring as rotating it clockwise is not possible w/out the removal of the spring. Maybe I'm confused.

 

[dancraig]

I feel like the larger hex nut.. the one w/ the lever and spring attached, is too far/there's too much free space. But I don't understand how to tighten that w/out removing the spring as rotating it clockwise is not possible w/out the removal of the spring. Maybe I'm confused.

When I adjust mine, I can't even see the spring or anything that you are referring to. This is because the cover is still on. All I see is the two wrench fittings to be turned.
The proper wrench on both, turn both in the same direction at the same time. This moves the pop out lever back into the proper position. Tighten down the nut fitting side a little. If the problem is that the lever needs adjusting, this should fix it.

 

[!<-_->!]

Alright... Finally got the right tools. I've been playing around with it for about the past 15 minutes with no luck. It either pops out really slowly but doesn't quite lock out or doesn't pop out or just pops out all the way with out locking up.

 

[!<-_->!]

Here's a picture of what the piece that broke off looks like. Don't really know what it could be.

 

[Lakers4Life]

Looks like a brake pad to me, but I could be wrong.

 

[MAX PLY]

Pretty sure that it is a brake pad (see item # 51 in parts listing in H Manual). I think you are going to need to send it off to get it fixed. I suggest tennismachines dot com. Sorry. Good luck.

 

[dancraig]

Pretty sure that it is a brake pad (see item # 51 in parts listing in H Manual). I think you are going to need to send it off to get it fixed. I suggest tennismachines dot com. Sorry. Good luck.

Sorry we couldn't get it fixed.

 

[!<-_->!]

Thank you for all the help. It has been greatly appreciated.

Now if only a Wise tension head wasn't so expensive... Guess my debate will be easier once I call in and see how much it'll be to fix my current tension head.

 

[Lakers4Life]

That last person who had thier Neos tension head rebuilt by TM, paid about $75. But they were quoted $75-100 initially.

 

[!<-_->!]

Alright. Guess it'll be rebuild. Though with shipping it'll come closer to $100 anyway.

 

[radigan]

Why not just glue the brake pad back on? That is the backing pad on the other side of the brake disk that holds the disk from bending. I would certainly try that before I went to a full rebuild. Maybe try some JB Weld. It is some pretty good stuff.

 

[Gamma Tech]

I would glue the pad back in. it pinches the disc to hold the tension once the lever pops out. i'd clean it off and then go to a local hardware store (take brake pad w/ you) & ask for best adhesive to bond it too steel. We use a 2 part Loctite. i wouldn't remove the metal part of the brake pad because then you will have to do a brake adjust and they aren't always fun to figure out if you haven't done them before.
bret

 

[Lakers4Life]

Bret, What does a Gamma tensioner rebuild cost assuming it's out of warranty?

 

[GriffinS]

What ended up being the solution to this? I have the same issue. Tried to glue that piece back in but no luck. I also have an

Ektelon Model H.

Thanks!​

​

 

[bruced0812]

I have the same issue. How to replace brake pads on manual crank tension head?