Tuning peg rattle

[nshiell]

So my bass took a knock and one of the tuning pegs now rattles
I looked at it and the flat metal key part is slightly loose.
The long post with the forked end that is supposed to hold the flat key part has parted slightly allowing the metal plate that you turn to tune the guitar to move slightly.
For now I've sellotaped it in position, but I wanna start gigging once lockdowen ends

Could anyone recommend some tools for fixing it? Maybe something to clamp and apply pressure to the metal post?

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Take a pic of the tuning machine issue and post it. People will be more comfortable advising if they can see the issue.

 

[Inky13]

I would look to have it brazed.

 

[turf3]

Depending on the material it could even be soft soldered in place. Brazing will require to remove the tuner. You can also force some JB Weld or other epoxy into the space with a thin bladed knife, though if anyone wants to braze it together in the future they'll curse you.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Dismount the machine. Bring it to a good jeweler. No more problem.

 

[nshiell]

A photo

 

[DoubleMIDI]

You are on the double bass side of Talkbass.
It might even be cheaper to replace the tuner if you cannot repair it yourself.
DB tuners are generally more expensive and some are even coupled on a single plate. So in this case a repair makes more sense.

 

[WClOUD]

I had the same problem. I removed the tuner, laid it on an anvil and worked it with a ball peen hammer. Sounds a bit barbaric I know, but it's good as new.

 

[notabene]

It is possible that using a large visegrip might help.

 

[202dy]

Unless there is significant damage: CA glue.

1. Remove machine.
2. Wax off (or tape) any parts you don't want to clean later.
3. Clean and dry area to be stabilized. Hair dryer will help.
4. Wick one drop of liquid thin CA glue into the joint between the shaft and the leaf
5. Repeat on the other side.
6. Allow to set for a few minutes.
7. Clean, re-install, tune, play.

 

[96tbird]

I had the same problem. I removed the tuner, laid it on an anvil and worked it with a ball peen hammer. Sounds a bit barbaric I know, but it's good as new.

I did the same to an old set of Schallers on my G-3

 

[AboutSweetSue]

I’ve actually used the vice grip method mentioned above to an acceptable level of success. I’d combine glue with pressure, though, for added measure. That would likely solve the problem.

I mean, I’ve seen guys put cards in the slot with CA glue and trim it with a razor blade. I’ve definitely shoved paper in there to fix a rattling tuner back in the day. Worked, but it looked like a hack job...because it was, I suppose.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

I frequently see that on the old Klusen tuners on the Ampeg basses I restore. It's a single soft rivet that holds the "ear" plate on to the key shaft. The shaft is also soft brass, and the slot that the ear fits into spreads apart after an impact. Then the ear is loose to wobble and rattle.

The best way I've found to fix it is to crimp it tight again by squeezing it in a vise that has smooth jaws. Squeeze right on the rivet itself. It will bend the slot tight against the ear, and squish the rivet tighter to hold it. Make sure you have the ear lined up straight as you squeeze.

You can also set it on a metal surface and tap it tighter with a hammer. Hit it right on the rivet. But squeezing it in a vise is easier to control.

 

[60bass]

There's a video on youtube about how to fix a loose cloverleaf or other style using Gluboost CA glue and accelerator. I did that on one of my basses and it worked like a charm.

 

[osv]

I pressed one in a vice once.