I wound my mantle clock yesterday, when winding up the hole by the number 3 there was a massive bang and the key now winds easily in that hole as there is no longer any resistance.The clock has now stopped chiming and I am heartbroken as the tone of the clock when it chimed was beautiful.It is an old Enfield mantle clock.

Would a service and new spring do the job or will the bang have damaged the pivots and everything else?

Shane, October 2008

no. i would be supprised if it has done any damage due to a spring break.But can be expensive to replace your best bet is find a clock repairer , take the clock and get him to tell you the size of spring required.Go on Ebay or other sites to order it, and ask him to fit it This should save you moneyas the spring he would buy from his regular supplyer would cost about 25 pounds. on E bay you could find one a fiver. GOOD LUCK

KEITH, March 2011

you have busted the spring you will need to take it to a clockmaker a new spring will most likely fix it but a service would not hurt.be carefully winding any clocks if you hear any unusal noises get it looked at as it might need a service

john, September 2010

Dear Shane, I've seen your request merely by chance. Hope it's not too late. Please note, that if you're not into watch repair, don't even try to do it by yourself. The westminster clocks contain 3 very powerful springs. For an unexperienced person, their dismantle or disassembly may appear dangerous.

On the other hand, don't take anything for granted from the sayings of the watch-repair shops. Believe me, I've been into this business. Don't just give your precious clock to anybody's repair.

As a matter of fact, most likely, that this problem is easily repaired. Many times because of "over" winding, the central circle of the spring coil slightly widenes and the slot jumps out from it's hold to the Spring axis. From this point, the attempts to wind it again will look exactly loke you have described. An experienced person can dismantle the coil casing, open it, and slightly tighten the central coil circle. That's all to it...

Another minor problem that may be there: the outside pinion that holds the spring casing from turning, is damaged. Easy to check visually...

Other possibilities: The Spring may be broken, Some teeth may have been damaged by the spring casing...

Anywhay, it sould not be too expensive to repair.

Good luck.

Edward Oded Yudovin, January 2009

Your clock is probably dirty. The oil in the works turns to "tar" and stops up the works. Find a reputable repair shop ... not necessarily one that is located in someones garage.

Joe, October 2008

The bang was probably the spring braking on the chime side of the clock, it is the largest and most powerfull. You will have to have someone disassemble the clock and put a new spring in. You should have it checked for ware at the time and if it has not had any work done to it in 10 yrs, you will need to have it overhauled by an experienced clock repairman.

Barney, October 2008