ANSWER FOUND - Taking apart a U360

[GAtekwriter]

Did a search but didn't find exactly what I was looking for - hope someone can help.  I ordered the hard springs to replace my stock springs in my 2 U360s.  I'm having a hard time disassembling - I've taken off the mounting plate and removed the rod/spring assembly from the electronics base.  On the bottom of the assembly is a slot screw that is VERY tight... there's a small piece of metal surrounding it that I'm not sure about...

Any suggestions will be appreciated.  Thanks, guys.

Jim

[Franco B]

Do you mean the slot on the end of the shaft? If you are trying to unscrew it whilst holding the other end of the shaft you will struggle as its one solid piece 

I think the small piece of material you are talking about is an e-clip. You should be able to pull it off with some pliers or insert a small phillips screw driver into one of the e-clip gaps and prise it off. Be carefull if you use the latter method as the e-clip is likey to fly off somewhere, aim it into a towel or do it in a plastic bag or something.

The whole shaft assembly should then fall to pieces as its slightly spring loaded.

[GAtekwriter]

So it is the e-clip that's holding the whole thing together?  I'll try it - thank you for quick response.  Trying to get the Joys mounted today.

Jim

[GAtekwriter]

Got it!  That little e-clip is a pain, but once I got it off, it wasn't to hard to figure out.  Anyone adding the longer rods and stiff springs should be aware that the extra black insert that comes with the set goes on TOP of the bracket, not below - took me a few minutes to figure out where everything went, but the joys are back together and work great!  The stiff spring is definitely worth it.

Jim

[Ummon]

I just last night was checking out the above method of disassembly. First part is easier, but the retaining clip is probably more difficult to get off this way. What extra insert? Didn't see anything on this at Ultimarc. Can you post an image?

[GAtekwriter]

The "extra insert" I mentioned is a small black tube, maybe 1/2" in height that goes around the long metal rod.  I couldn't figure out if it went above or below the 4-prong black plastic piece that screws down to the electronic base.  It goes above.  This is the only way you can add the longer rod and have the magnet at the bottom at the same height/distance from the sensor in the electronic base.

[Ummon]

Oh, I thought it was part of....I dunno, something to do with the heavier spring. I got longer shafts with my sticks and I don't recall any extra hardware. I wouldn't think there'd be any as only the part above the base is longer. The part below should be the same and was when I compared mine.

[GAtekwriter]

I'll try and take a picture tonight, but if I remember correctly the longer shaft, when installed, has a slightly smaller diameter about 1/2" above the top of the mounting plate... this is where the black insert goes over.  Maybe it's not required, but since I got one with my kit I just had to figure out what it was for - it looks nice, too.

[AndyWarne]

You are correct but that only applies to the shaft for the Oval top, not the ball top.

Andy

[Ummon]

The details surface. I have ball tops.