Question About Proper Lubrication - Offset Center Wheel Driving Gear - Replacement Part Lubrication

[thor447]

I have a question I'm hoping has a simple answer. I need to replace the 2nd wheel with the driving gear in an AS 1914 movement. The driving gear on the original part was very loose, and my attempt at re-staking it wasn't perfect. I sourced a replacement part easily enough. My question is, do I need to lubricate the driving gear on the replacement part?

I've attached a photo below. I received it as an unopened, new old stock part but removed it from its package to take the photo. I don't want to pull the gear off and re-attach it after applying lubricant. Do these parts come pre-lubricated, or is there anything I need to do before installing it? I'm worried that if it is already lubricated, my normal cleaning routine might remove any pre-applied lubricant. Your advice would be very much appreciated.

[Neverenoughwatches]

6 hours ago, thor447 said:

I'm worried that if it is already lubricated, my normal cleaning routine might remove any pre-applied lubricant. 

if i remember your normal cleaning routine is a new Elma machine Adam, if this is new old stock packaged and pre lubricated then why would you clean it and not just install it straight from the packet. 

[thor447]

26 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

if i remember your normal cleaning routine is a new Elma machine Adam, if this is new old stock packaged and pre lubricated then why would you clean it and not just install it straight from the packet. 

I guess my question should've been: Are these staked on driving pinions pre-lubricated?  If they are, I won't put it through the cleaning cycle, as you are correct, it looks very clean straight from the package, but I'm just unsure about that driving gear.

Edited August 3, 2024 by thor447

[GuyMontag]

If it is pre-lubricated, do you have a sense as to how old the part is? If it is 40+ years old, would there be a concern for how 'fresh' the grease is?

[thor447]

I got a great tip from someone on Facebook.  I just gave it a try and it worked like a charm.  No damage to the part while removing that driving pinion.  Here's their message to me: 

Take two bladed punches for tightening cannon pinions in your staking set and put them in the staking tool. Place the new wheel with the two pinions between the stakes blades. Take a presto tool and using the blades as support for the presto tools feet just pop that pinion right off. Add a dab of of 9504 and use a flat stake with center hole to just press the pinion back on.

Now the part will go through a full cleaning cycle, get fresh lube, and reassembled.  It might not have been necessary, I'm not entirely sure.  At least I'll have a bit of peace-of-mind about the work being done though.

 

Edited August 3, 2024 by thor447