Removing reels from reel assembly Bally e series

[DCM1519]

I am finally able to work on my slot machine and hopefully fix the number 41 error.

Today, I pulled the reel assembly to start cleaning and lubricating the reels and then swapping the reel readers.

The reel shaft seems to be held in place by two arms connected to springs.  There is one on each side of the reel unit and they press against the shaft to keep it from jumping out of the slots.  These arms will not move, even when I remove the springs.  I know I could force them but thought I should ask if there is anything else that will need to be removed after I get them off the shafts.  Tomorrow, I am going to put a drop of oil on them where they contact the sides of the reel unit.

The greaase that I encountered so far appears to have been there for a while but is not solidified.

I tried to contact the supplier of that Hydrotex 651 lubricant.  The phone number shown on his site appears to actually be a fax so I sent him a fax today.

Should these two arms swing freely after I remove the springs?

Thanks

[Amachanic]

The levers holding the reel shaft in place should move freely. Sounds like they are stuck in place. I have a plastic hammer or a handle of an old screw driver I tap on them with if they don't what to move. Tap on the end nearest the shaft, it should swing down away from the shaft to release the reel assembly to come out.

[DCM1519]

Thanks for the reply.  They were frozien in place but I got them loose and tomorrow, am gong to take it all out on the front porch and start cleaning.  Actusally it looks pretty clean now but I am still going to clean it the best that I can and them lube it.  I do not have any Hydrotex and do not know what would make a good substitute but have some white lithium garage door opener lube that might do the job.

Thanks again

[Amachanic]

Glad to help... I've always used a very small amount of WD40 to free up and thing that gummed up or sticky. Then used a light weight regular oil to lube the parts. I have a small oil bottle with a long tube that I can control where and how muck I use, as little as a drop at a time. I have never like the white lithium, i tried a spray can of the stuff once and it worked ok for a while, but I found it to dry up and become sticky over time and was very hard to clean up once it dries...

[DCM1519]

Your reply remnded me of a bottle of oil that I have for my computer.  It has a long spout and after what you said about the lithium drying out, it looks like I should stick to some kind of oil.  I have a gallon of Marvels plus all diffent kinds of other oils so should be able to find something else.

Thanks