My 2 outside weights won't drop...

9/2/2015

We often receive questions or calls about a customer's grandfather clock weights on the outside are not dropping and that only the center weight is dropping and the clock is not chiming.

Here is a quick description how the clock weights work.:

The grandfather clocks' weights are what powers the clock. The left weight (your left facing the clock) powers the hour striking of the clock. The center weight powers the time side of the clock and the right weight (the heaviest) will power the 1/4 hour chiming side of the clock.

The time side of the clock will tell the chiming side of the clock what to do and the chiming side will tell the hour striking side what to do. If the time side tells the 1/4 hour chiming side to chime, but it is hung up, it will not be able to chime, nor will it be able to tell the hour striking side what to do.

If the clock is running but not chiming, then only the center weight will drop. Typically, what we find is that the grandfather clock has not been serviced and the oil has dried up in the movement and therefore the chiming side of the clock is hung up, or worst, worn out.

We service around 650 grandfather clocks in customers' homes each year. Most of the time a good cleaning and re-oiling will get the clock up and running properly. The manufacturers of all style clocks recommend that you have your clock cleaned and re-oiled every 2-3 years.

A good cleaning and re-oiling of a clock every 2-3 years will minimize the damage to your clocks' movement and keep it running for years. The cleaning and re-oiling is also the least expensive repair of your grandfather clocks' movement and is the best place to start. Once the grandfather clocks' movement is cleaned, the technician will be able to look at the condition of the grandfather clocks' movement in order to determine if there are worn parts that might need replacing.

31 Comments

Jim Stevens

7/23/2018 06:47:16 pm

Outer weights not dropping.
Do you have techs in the S Jersey area?
Or do you have a DIY video?

Bob

7/24/2018 04:26:37 am

Jim, we do not service that area. If you have never or if its been a long time since the clock was oiled and cleaned, that would be the best place to start. Removing the movement from the case is the only correct way to perform a good cleaning and oiling. If you are comfortable removing it, here is a video that explains everything we do at the home on our service call. I hope this helps.

Thanks Bob

Brenda fisher

10/9/2020 07:46:05 am

Can u please send me the video on how to oil my grandfather clock as I have the same problem with my two outside weights not dropping. Thank you.

Jane S. McKaughn link

1/3/2021 12:40:05 pm

Could you please send me the video on how to clean my grandfather clock as the outside weights won't drop., it won't chime.

Bob Bartow

1/3/2021 01:33:52 pm

https://www.horacewhitlockoil.com/instructions-for-oiling-a-clock.html

here is a choice of videos. they are on this website but click on the link and download witch one works best for you.

1/3/2021 01:34:25 pm

Julie A Rushlow

8/13/2018 07:16:02 am

Do you have tech in Carleton Michigan?

E Drakes

8/28/2018 05:28:33 am

Forgot to wind clock. Working and chiming but not striking

Debra Mitchell

9/9/2018 06:35:21 am

I wound the far left weight to much, now it wont come down. The other 2 weights are fine. What can I do to get the far left weight to start coming down?

doug stewart

10/19/2020 06:25:49 pm

left weight stuck at top. how do I get it loose so the hour chime will work? Thank you.

Gary Puntman link

11/29/2018 07:12:03 am

I inherited an old clock from my grandpa. It hasn't worked for years, but I would love to have it repaired. It's good to know that I should make sure I clean it every two or three years after getting it repaired, like you said. I'm sure that would keep it running longer, like you also mentioned.

Jackie French

5/13/2019 09:51:01 am

One weight in grandfather clock will not stay wound up. Clicker appears to be broken

CHARLES SNYDER

6/24/2019 11:51:02 am

center wt only drops probably needs oiling

Cindy Desio

1/5/2020 08:45:09 pm

I’m moving a grandfather clock from AZ to GA but the outside weights are too high. If we can’t get them to drop before moving van comes on Friday, how can we prepare the case to be safely transported & then repaired after move?

1/6/2020 04:58:38 am

If they dont come down, you can twist the weights to the left to take the weights apart, just hold on to them when the hook comes off they will drop into your hand. You will have to reach up inside to unhook the small weight hook to reassemble.

John

3/1/2020 06:31:17 pm

Çhimes not coming down just the time working

3/2/2020 04:44:18 am

The first place to start on any clock is to do a cleaning and re-oiling on the movement. Go to youtube and look for how to clean a clock. There will a couple of good ones out there. If you go to www.HoraceWhitlockoil.com there is a free downloadable PDF that will give you step by step instructions. Also look at purchasing their oil kit. It hase everything you need to service and maintain your clocks.

Dani John link

4/9/2020 08:19:50 pm

I hung my weights wrong 8 years ago. I never thought I could fix it myself, didn't do stuff online back then. And there was no way I could afford to take it to be repaired. Now someone suggested I look online and I find a lot of stuff. My question is have I runied it having the heavy ones in the wrong place. Has it permenantly pulled so that they will never fall or ring again?
Thank you

Sayad Hussain

5/16/2020 02:45:01 pm

My time weight moves down and gives correct time
But the two weights on side does not go down and don’t chime
How I can fix them to move
I leave in Hawaii no idea if I can find a technician here
May need instructions to do it myself
What’s your suggestions

Miranda Davis

5/27/2020 12:58:29 pm

I have The Connoiseur by Ridgeway grandfather clock. It was working fine until the middle weight chain came off. We put the chain back on, but the weight just falls continuously until it reaches the bottom. How can I fix this?

5/28/2020 04:47:01 am

Miranda, there is a part on the wheel that is called a "click Stop" it stops the wheel from turning backwards. It sounds like the click stop has broken or sometimes the spring that holds them break. Either way, this has to be corrected in order to have the wheel operate properly. It is somewhat involved and most times the wheel will need to be removed for the repair. It may need to be sent into a shop for repairs.

Brad Adams

7/16/2020 09:15:09 pm

Hello,
I’m working on a GF clock movement. I am a novice repair person. The movement is stamped made in Germany, Howard Miller. Not a Hermle movement I don’t think. Maybe Kieninger.
I have cleaned the movement (assembled) and oiled it.
It will run fine for a couple days then the center weight will be the only weight to descend. The cam is always in the position to strike the 3/4 hour. The movement did not go into warning. If I just barely touch the fan on the chime side, then the clock does go into warning.
But once it stops chiming, that’s it.
I don’t think it’s a lubricant issue, the pivots are ok.
I don’t know why it’s hanging up, and not going into warning on the 3/4 hour. I’m going to clean the wheel with the pin on it again. Any help would be appreciated.

Buddy

9/14/2020 11:58:00 pm

1. What is/are the difference/differences between (a) grandfather clock with two weights and (b) grandfather clock with three weights?
2. Which one is better: (a) grandfather clock with two weights and (b) grandfather clock with three weights?

9/15/2020 05:58:50 am

A GF clock with 2 weights will strike on the hour and some models on the half hour as well. A GF clock with 3 weights will chime (playing a potion of a song) on the quarter hours as well as strike the hour. Some 3 weight GF clocks will have 1 song typically Westminster (big Ben) or a selection of 3 songs to choose from.

Annie

10/8/2020 05:42:07 pm

Have a Howard Miller 610-520. It keeps correct time and chimes on time but the right weight is stuck. It doesn't wind or drop.

10/13/2020 05:52:46 am

If the right weight is not moving then the 1/4 hour chiming is not working. Make sure you do not have it on silent. The right weight operates the 1/4 hour chiming, the center is the time and the left is for the hour striking. If its not set to silent. The next step is to clean and oil. www.horacewhitlockoil.com is a great site that has free info on cleaning and oiling a clock

Margurett Wilkins link

10/12/2020 11:25:43 am

How do i put a chain back on and how do i tell the difference in right and left weights.

10/13/2020 05:56:16 am

You might have to remove the movement in order to get the chain back on, sometimes you might be able to do it with out removal, but its difficult. As far as the weights go, the heaviest weight goes on the right ( your right facing the clock) the center is the next heaviest and the lightest is the left. Many clocks use the same weight for the center and left.

Julie Messinger

2/21/2021 06:07:12 am

I was pulling up the weights and started to pull the heavy weight up and my hand slipped and the weight made a clunking sound- I stopped then proceeded to pull the chain and it made a grinding sound as I did so. Was already to go so I thought and it now works for 20 minutes then stops. No 1/4 chimes either. The clock make is Junghens- look forward to your reply. Julie Messinger.”

2/21/2021 07:47:49 am

Julie, try to look up inside the movement where the chains go around the wheel. Stay with the chain with the heaviest weight. Look to see if it is hung up or the chain is coming apart. There is a device called a "click Stop" and it stops the chain from going the wrong way. Its possible this is damaged and not allowing the weight to drop. Let me know

Lawrence Wright

3/29/2021 06:44:39 am

I have a 3 weight clock. Yesterday I attempted to pull up the left weight to reset, like I have done hundreds of times. The chain slipped and now it is not holding the weight in place. The chain moves freely up and down. Any thoughts on how to fix the problem. I live in Amesbury, MA

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