Help - I screwed up my Sebenza!! - Fixed Now - THANKS!!

LightGuy

LightGuy

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Sep 12, 2010
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I took my Sebenza 21 (small) apart so I could isolate the blade and mod my thumbstud. I did that, and it worked out pretty well.

But when I put the knife back together, the blade now closes off-center and rubs the top slab - opposite the framelock...

I was extremely carefull to keep the screws and bushings in the right place. When it is open and I relieve the pressure by pushing the lock aside, the blade has play side to side. I tightened both of the top screws, and they won't tighten any more. I don't want to strip them. I have both bronze bushings in place on either side of the blade.

I've taken it apart a couple more times and put it back together with the same results. I tried loosening/tightening the top screws several times...

Any ideas???
 
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I believe you have a pinched washer, your best option is just to take the knife apart again and try to reasslemble it. This happens to me from time to time and all it takes is some patience.
 
Yea I screwed up my washer I tightened it down when it was not centered and it warped the inside of the washer pretty bad now when I take it apart it's kind of a pain to get the washer on but no play at all.
 
You got to make sure your washers are sitting over the bushing on both sides.
There will be a very small lip on both sides of the bushing big enough to
put the washers on. If the washers slide a little bit and are on top of the
bushing then when you try to tighten the pivot down itll pinch the washers
and the whole blade will be out of wack.
 
Thats why you put the handles together first then slide in the blade. Send it back for a new washer
 
Take it apart and reassemble it per the sticky at the top of the page.
Your supposed to assemble the handle slabs, and tighten the slab screws, then slide in the blade and pivot assembly.

HTH
Dave
 
Everyone - thanks very much for the information. It definitely sounds like the issue is with the washers being under the bushing. I didn't think about this.

I didn't assemble the knife per the above instructions, so that's probably what happened. I'm hoping I didn't trash one or both of the washers.

I'll re-assemble the correct way when I get home tonight and see if this is the issue.

Also - I was going to ask - are both of the thicker bushings (at top and bottom) different sizes or are they the same size? If they are slightly different lengths and I accidentally switched them, could this be the problem if not the above issue?

Thanks again!!

-Rich
 
LightGuy said:
Everyone - thanks very much for the information. It definitely sounds like the issue is with the washers being under the bushing. I didn't think about this.

I didn't assemble the knife per the above instructions, so that's probably what happened. I'm hoping I didn't trash one or both of the washers.

I'll re-assemble the correct way when I get home tonight and see if this is the issue.

Also - I was going to ask - are both of the thicker bushings (at top and bottom) different sizes or are they the same size? If they are slightly different lengths and I accidentally switched them, could this be the problem if not the above issue?

Thanks again!!

-Rich
Click to expand...

Yes, the smaller washer goes on the lockbar side, the larger one on the non locking side.
 
Josh K said:
Yes, the smaller washer goes on the lockbar side, the larger one on the non locking side.
Click to expand...

Good to note, thanks.

What about the actual bushing at the top (blade pivot), and the other large one at the bottom of the scales? They looked close to the same size to my eye. Are they close enough (yet different) that I could have mixed them up and caused this problem?
 
LightGuy said:
Good to note, thanks.

What about the actual bushing at the top (blade pivot), and the other large one at the bottom of the scales? They looked close to the same size to my eye. Are they close enough (yet different) that I could have mixed them up and caused this problem?
Click to expand...

No, the pivot bushing is smaller (outside diameter) then the spacer at the bottom. I don't think you could put the knife together wrong with those.
 
Josh K said:
No, the pivot bushing is smaller (outside diameter) then the spacer at the bottom. I don't think you could put the knife together wrong with those.
Click to expand...

Great - that's what I was hoping. That completely narrows it down to the washers then. One or both of them is apparently sitting under the bushing..hopefully they aren't too bent up due to my mistake.

Thanks again for your help!
 
That was it!! The way I put it back together before the washers shifted. I followed the proper instructions and it's perfect now!!

Thanks so much for your help!
 
I'm not too sure exactly what steps the cleaning instructions tell you to do, but when ever I assemble mine I put the handles together and snug up both screws. I then back both of them off maybe half a turn. You dont need much clearance to fit in there, and you can easily adjust to the properly clearance to ensure that the washers couldnt slip off the bushing at all. I pinched my washers once before I started doing this and it did not affect anything at all, but I also caught it immediately.
 
Just get a ziploc bag and make it a "parts" knife. Order another one just like it and if you ever need a blade or washer or whatever, you'll be good to go.
 
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