So...I went there. I took the plunge of attempting a button removal and replacement on a 5600E parts case. I wanted to get some practice in for proficiency before I attempt one for real. I did some research and found some great tips, such as the use of a plastic bag to work in to contain the small parts if they went flying, the use of silicone grease to help prevent same, magnetized mini screwdrivers. The button disassembly, gasket lubrication and reinsertion of the button went decently, but there's the clip issue. I still managed to lose one clip due to the sin of removing the case from the bag to examine it...and I had to start tinkering. I was promptly punished for that little indiscretion.
Be that as it may, if I'm going to do this as part of any restoration, I'm thinking I'm going to need to source some spares. Pacparts doesn't have them in stock presently, but 50 cents a piece can get real expensive, real quick. Does anyone happen to know what size these clips are? I've found parts sources which carry them from 1.5mm up to 4mm in size; I'm thinking they're closer to the 1.5mm size, but if anyone knows what size they are, I'd be most appreciative of the info.
Secondly, how hard should reinstallation be, and how much effort should it take? I tried for the better part of several hours over the course of a couple of days and I can't seem to get them to clip back on around the groove. I tried quite a bit of pressure, but something that small shouldn't take that much pressure if everything's right. I can get it to the point of sitting into the groove, but it tries to clip in crooked or sideways when I go to seat it. It won't stay clipped, however, and ends up falling back off when I spin it around the shaft to check for proper fitting. It almost seems like the clip is stretching out when I remove it, but given how small it is, I'm not sure.
Third, how necessary is lubricating the button gaskets? It seems like a lot of work for such a relatively small part, and I'm wondering if there's an alternative method, such as some form of liquid silicone lubricant injected just under the button head to reach the gaskets. Both gaskets live outside of the case just before the small opening for the button shaft, so my thinking would be that introducing lubrication from the outside and inside via the button shaft could be a viable alternative to reach both gaskets.
This thread is likely a rehash of questions asked and answered previously, although I couldn't find an answer for the clip size, but I'd like it to be if nothing else a one stop for answers on this subject.
Be that as it may, if I'm going to do this as part of any restoration, I'm thinking I'm going to need to source some spares. Pacparts doesn't have them in stock presently, but 50 cents a piece can get real expensive, real quick. Does anyone happen to know what size these clips are? I've found parts sources which carry them from 1.5mm up to 4mm in size; I'm thinking they're closer to the 1.5mm size, but if anyone knows what size they are, I'd be most appreciative of the info.
Secondly, how hard should reinstallation be, and how much effort should it take? I tried for the better part of several hours over the course of a couple of days and I can't seem to get them to clip back on around the groove. I tried quite a bit of pressure, but something that small shouldn't take that much pressure if everything's right. I can get it to the point of sitting into the groove, but it tries to clip in crooked or sideways when I go to seat it. It won't stay clipped, however, and ends up falling back off when I spin it around the shaft to check for proper fitting. It almost seems like the clip is stretching out when I remove it, but given how small it is, I'm not sure.
Third, how necessary is lubricating the button gaskets? It seems like a lot of work for such a relatively small part, and I'm wondering if there's an alternative method, such as some form of liquid silicone lubricant injected just under the button head to reach the gaskets. Both gaskets live outside of the case just before the small opening for the button shaft, so my thinking would be that introducing lubrication from the outside and inside via the button shaft could be a viable alternative to reach both gaskets.
This thread is likely a rehash of questions asked and answered previously, although I couldn't find an answer for the clip size, but I'd like it to be if nothing else a one stop for answers on this subject.
