Squeaky AR blade, fix it or leave it?

C

Cooper

Joined
Mar 9, 2000
Messages
111
I've had my AR since Fri. and I've been opening and closing it alot.Two days ago it developed a squeak. Not a bad one, but you can hear it. I can't really oil it (tried to) because the blade is so tight. It's a very smooth opening knife, except for the sqeak. Will this go awaywith use, or will it get worse? Any ideas?
 
I would leave it for now. If it has blade play, that's another show. You may want to try a lubricant. It could be just the side of the blade gritting up against the liner when when opening and closing.
 
ZERO blade play anywhere, just like your new GB. I tried a lubricant, but it can't get between the liners and the blade. It's definately the side of the blade rubbing up against the liner,but it's not gritty, just metal on metal. I'm hoping that the metal on metal will eventually polish itself and stop the squeek.
 
At first, mine felt a little sqeaky but now, it's all good. I used a little nyogel (surefire approved lubricant) but it didn't do the trick at first, but after a day or two, it blended all in and it's smooth as silk now.

Shelb
 
My new AR squeaked from the beginning. I tried some Militec lube but it hasn't helped so far. I do have some side to side play in the blade, plus the liner lock doesn't seem to come over onto the blade far enough, so I guess I will have to send it back for an evaluation. I hate to do that since I've had it less than a week.
My blade doesn't actually come in contact with the liner. It is the bronze bushings that it contacts. I assume all Strider folders are like this.
 
Harry,

Does it lock up like this?:

fe17d89e.jpg
 
The bronze bushings are normal, that's what the blade pivots on. Shelby, how the heck did you get any kind of lube between the bushing and blade? BTW, my liner lock is exactly like Shelbys. It comes over 3/4 of the way.
 
Guys,

I don't know if this will work for y'all (southern slang) but I use TUF-GLIDE from Sentry Solutions. I got the 1/2 oz. bottle with the needle tip applicator. It works really well if you let it dry before using the knife.

It removed the squeak my AR had after I got it. I believe my squeak was do to some of the aluminium oxide making contact with the ball detent on the liner lock.

The best thing about this stuff is that it doesn't collect all the crap that the oil based lubes do.

Give it a try. Anything is better having metal to metal contact without lubricant. All that does is cause wear and galling of the surfaces.

Scott
 
The ball detent was the first thing I lubed. I'll try some more lube with the needle tip applicator.
 
Cooper,

You can determine if it is the ball detent by holding back the lock with one hand and cycling the blade open and closed with the other (don't cut yourself). If it still squeaks then you know it is the pivot. Thats how I made that determination.

If it is the pivot then open her up, lube the hell out of the pivot where it meets the blade and after depressing the lock (like you are going to close it but don't) wiggle the blade side to side while holding it tip up. This will take the tension off the pivot and allow the lube to work its way in there to the pivot. It won't feel like its moving but it is. You might have to repeat this a couple of times to get enough in there but it should work.

Good Luck, I hope this eliminated that squeak.

Scott
 
Shelby,
Thanks for posting the pic.
No, my liner lock doesn't come over onto the blade that far. Maybe about 1/2 that far.
Thoughts?
 
Seigfried, tried your test and it's definatley the ball detent. I lubed it yesterday with Militec. It still sqeaks. I looked at it with a flashlight, and the lube is still there. Maybe I need something heavier like grease? I noticed the black stuff that comes on the pivots from Strider seems like grease.

One other thing, do those ball detents rotate?
 
Just for fun try squirting a little WD40 on it and play around with it. I have never found a squeak that WD40 cannot fix, including a rack and pinion squeal on the car. If it can work in there, your folder oughta work right after that
 
Cooper,
I don't know about Striders but, all the other ones I've seen before have been pressed into the liner.

good luck with the grease. hope it works out for you.

Scott
 
After messing with Militec and other lubes, and still having a squeek, I decided to give Parkers suggestion a try. It actually worked. A little WD40 on the ball detent and it was gone. I usually use WD40 on motor vehicles, but never on guns or knives. You just never know.
 
Just so you guys know the bronze bushing is oil impregnated. I dont remember the name of the material. But I do remember Mick and Duane talking about it. I never needed oil or anything else on any of the Strider folders constant use does the work for me. But they are your knives so put whatever sauce you want on them just dont use them for cooking after the application of WD-40....



http://www.fotoasylum.com
http://www.fotograffix.com

Brandon
 
I think the bushings are phosphor-bronze, or bronze-phosphor.
At least that's what is commonly used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top