Tools required: Standard handbell tool kit
1. Using the screwdriver, remove the clapper and washer and set aside.
2. Using the hex ball driver supplied, remove the cap screw located at the handle block. This completely disassembles the bell. Be careful not to lose any of the parts, particularly the spacer bushing that goes between the yoke assembly and the casting. Failure to reinsert this bushing could result in a tonally "dead" bell.
3. Using the adjustment wrenches supplied, remove stop nuts, neoprene bumpers and anti-friction washers.
4. Remove the damaged spring by sliding toward the clapper end of the shaft (note springs fit snugly).
5. Inspect the clapper end of the shaft. If there are any sharp edges or burrs, remove them with a small file.
6. Place the "elastothane" spring with the flat center portion on a board or other hard surface. Push the end of the hex shaft through the center hole, reverse the yoke and continue to push the spring down fully to straddle the block and be parallel with the sides of the "U" channel so that the studs are free from the sides of the slots.
6A. Springs are numbered for easy replacement:
#7 G2 thru F#3 (for bells shipped after 2-1-85)
#1 C3 thru F#3 (for bells shipped before 2-1-85)
#2 G3 thru B3
#3 C4 thru G#4 (see Notes)
#4 A4 thru B5
#5 C6 thru C7
#6 C#7 thru C8
On bells C#7 and higher a metal spring is used. Its number is 10-2023-4. Please refer to the next section for replacing metal springs. Also available is an elastothane spring for bells C#7 thru C8 for replacement purposes.
7. Replace the anti-friction washer, neoprene bumper and stop nut on each stud. Simply hand tighten these now, since you can adjust them to suit your ringer when the bell is together.
8. Bell reassembly...Place handguard, handle, lockwasher and cap screw into the casting and holding these, turn bell over and insert spacer bushing. The small hole next to the threaded hole in the bottom of the yoke block is the index pin hole. Start to screw the yoke onto the cap screw with the hole opposite the index pin. Turn the yoke assembly down until you feel the index pin lock into the index hole; now retighten the bell cap screw and stop nuts and you're ready to ring! But remember, adjust nuts down as far as needed to keep the clapper from resting on the casting, and to effect a smooth, easy and controlled strike. (Any further adjustment only puts undue strain on the spring.)
NOTES:
A. Metal springs were standard in earlier Schulmerich bells. These may be replaced with elastothane springs. This is done by following the steps for replacement of bells with Select-A-Strike clappers. One additional step is required, after completing step #3. With the yoke assembly out of the bell, use a pair of pliers to bend down and up on the metal spring leaf on each side of the yoke block until it breaks. Discard the pieces. The small section of spring remaining under the hex shaft need not be removed if it does not interfere with the installation of the new spring. Now, skip step #4 and continue with step #5.
B. Bell notes G3 thru B3 use two different widths of clapper shafts. Bells with Select-A-Strike clappers use a wider shaft and require a #2 elastothane spring. Bells with Quick-Adjust clappers manufactured between 1979 and February, 1985 require a #3 elastothane spring.