Slight rattle from pivot on Zero Tolerance 0454 (ZT0454)

[2-cb]

Hey guys and gals,

I was recently lucky enough to obtain 2 ZT0454's -- both LNIB (never used, etc). While flipping one open, I noticed a quiet rattle coming from the pivot. The noise is there regardless of whether the blade is closed, locked open, or anywhere in between.

Obviously I grabbed my other 0454 for comparison and was surprised that it too has a slight rattle. The action on both is phenomenal and doesn't appear to suffer any from the rattle.

Anyone else with a ZT0454 willing to check theirs out to see if it makes a similar noise? Needless to say, I'd prefer to make it quiet, but am reluctant to mail these knives as they are both otherwise in flawless condition and the last thing I want is to receive them back with any 'handling marks.'

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Alex

 

[evilgreg]

Mine doesn't rattle, but of course I've disassembled it to tune it to my taste (the detent was a little weak when it arrived) and put it back together. Have you opened it up to see what's making the noise?

 

[evilgreg]

I'm on a conference call indoors, so I couldn't easily take a better photo, but I pulled mine apart just now and snapped this:

As you can see, it's a simple machine. Not much to be able to rattle. I assume you've checked that all the external screws are tight already, so it shouldn't be coming from the subframe lock, pivot screw, frame screws, or lockbar insert.

That just leaves the washers (left in the frame slabs in this shot), the bearings (shouldn't rattle if the pivot is tight) and the backspacer (also shouldn't rattle, if the frame screws are tight) . . .

 

[marthinus]

In my experience using caged bearings in my own knives recently it appears that as the balls role in the cage there is some rattle coming from them. I believe it is coming from the cage itself as the balls rotate, but that is on steel cages, dont know what could cause it with the synthetic cages.

 

[shinyedges]

Check for side to side play and make sure pivot is tight.

 

[jbmonkey]

so no stop pin used in this knife?

 

[shinyedges]

Stop pin is in the picture on the knife.

 

[PURPLEDC]

99% chance its the stop pin. Put a tiny amount of grease in the pockets that cup the stop pin. Rattle no more. Usually the cages on bearings dont rattle.

 

[Victorian Squid]

I would assume if the bearings are rattling you'd notice a fair amount of blade play. I'd bet the stop pin as well. Odd, this is literally the 3rd time today I've heard somebody talking about rattling in their knife!

 

[evilgreg]

99% chance its the stop pin. Put a tiny amount of grease in the pockets that cup the stop pin. Rattle no more. Usually the cages on bearings dont rattle.

Yup, stop pin is a good suggestion (though in mine the tolerances are pretty tight, it's wedged in there snugly.

 

[PURPLEDC]

Yup, stop pin is a good suggestion (though in mine the tolerances are pretty tight, it's wedged in there snugly.

Yeah but it varies. I had one triple seven with rattle and another that didnt. Im pretty sure my 0454 cts 204p needed a little grease too. What is really surprising though is when some knives have abit of rattle open or closed. I would think any pressure on the stop pin would stop it but sometimes they rattle either way. Also i cant tell from the pic but if there is a pin in the backspacer those can sometimes rattle too.

 

[jbmonkey]

Stop pin is in the picture on the knife.

weird, cant see it on my phone. is it black colored? thanks.

yeah stop pin rattling would have been my guess, but usually it rattles only open or closed not both typically.

 

[shinyedges]

Yep, it's black. Upper corner of the scale with the lockbar.

weird, cant see it on my phone. is it black colored? thanks.

yeah stop pin rattling would have been my guess, but usually it rattles only open or closed not both typically.

 

[2-cb]

Thanks for all the feedback/suggestions! I'm out of town for the holiday but will give some of these a try when I get back. And, of course, will share any findings.

Much appreciated!

 

[2-cb]

I'm on a conference call indoors, so I couldn't easily take a better photo, but I pulled mine apart just now and snapped this:

As you can see, it's a simple machine. Not much to be able to rattle. I assume you've checked that all the external screws are tight already, so it shouldn't be coming from the subframe lock, pivot screw, frame screws, or lockbar insert.

That just leaves the washers (left in the frame slabs in this shot), the bearings (shouldn't rattle if the pivot is tight) and the backspacer (also shouldn't rattle, if the frame screws are tight) . . .

Very helpful pic. And during a conference call! I love the passion. Thanks again for the help!