Bearing Flipper Help

[jday2727]

Hey BF, so today I took apart my ZT900 to clean. I have a few questions:

The bearings go with the cupped/exposed side towards the handles correct?
Also, the bearings are wearing a little rut in the handle. Is this normal?
Finally, after putting it back together, it is not as smooth to move the blade. I used hoppes gun oil for the bearings. Is that the problem? Thanks!

 

[The Aflac Duck]

The bearings go with the cupped/exposed side towards the handles correct?

Either way is fine. The bearings all have the same diameter, so the direction of the cage will make no difference.

Also, the bearings are wearing a little rut in the handle. Is this normal?

Yes. The bearings are harder than the steel/titanium in the handle. Simple physics.

Finally, after putting it back together, it is not as smooth to move the blade.

Are all the screws properly tightened? Are they too tight?

I used hoppes gun oil for the bearings. Is that the problem?

No.

 

[jday2727]

Either way is fine. The bearings all have the same diameter, so the direction of the cage will make no difference.



Yes. The bearings are harder than the steel/titanium in the handle. Simple physics.



Are all the screws properly tightened? Are they too tight?



No.

Thanks! Yes, everything is tightened correctly, maybe I just need to work it a little more?

 

[The Aflac Duck]

When you say "not as smooth to move the blade", do you mean that it doesn't fall closed as easily, or that it feels "slower" when opened manually?

 

[jday2727]

When you say "not as smooth to move the blade", do you mean that it doesn't fall closed as easily, or that it feels "slower" when opened manually?

Before I cleaned it, i would barely start to close it. Once the bottom of the blade hit the detent again, I could push on the back of the blade and make it flip closed. Now the detent seems softer while closing it, and the blade doesn't go as far. It still opens fine. Could this have been grease or something on the detent that came off when I cleaned it?

 

[Spartan00]

It could be some of the factory lube is still there and it's not working well with the hoppes. Don't quote me on that, because I'm not certain I have had this happen to me though .

I'd break it back down and thoroughly clean everything with alocohol or lighter fluid something like that.

You don't really need lube on these knives and I suggest assembling it dry just to see the action first . If your sure all the old.lube is out and the knife is thoroughly clean then just adjust your screws .

Could be debris got into the bearings or the scales anywhere like that . Even the smallest thing can effect the action .