Seiko 7009 - escape wheel not engaged

[JamesLek]

Dear All

I have faced this issue many times and I really hope that someone could help me. Thanks.

During assembly of the 7009 movement, many times I will be stuck with the barrel and train wheel bridge step. The problem I faced is that it is very difficult to have the escape wheel and pinion in perfect alignment. In other words the escape wheel is not engaged when I turn the barrel. (Steps 49 - 38). 

I hardly ever encountered such issue with the 6309 or 7S26, but with 7005 and 7009, I am always stuck with this step, that is getting the escape wheel to be engaged when I place the barrel and train wheel bridge over. Can anyone share some reason/s why this is the case?

[aac58]

This step usually takes a bit of time. I think that the escape wheel has a tendency to lean against the third wheel, so before I install the bridge I try to be sure that it rests on the fourth wheel instead, then I put the bridge as as softly as I can. Then it always needs to be adjusted with the tweezers until the upper pivot goes into its jewel.

[watchweasol]

Hi James   fitting train wheels and bridges is always a bit fiddley, assemble the train  lay on the bridge softly then fit a screw into the bridge to hold it, do not over tighten it , hopefully this will hold the train wheels while you manouvre  them in.  I made some tools from soft sewing needles bent at different angles to allow me to jiggle the train wheels in.

[JamesLek]

Thanks for your replies.

Turns out I've had quite a number of bad escape wheels - broken pivot at the top or bottom, that's why it does not stay in position and so there's no engagement. Could be due to over tightening from previous attempts or they were already broken when I bought them as used watches. I tried with a good wheel today and somewhat managed to get everything in place.