Howard Miller Longcase question

[RoystonSmythe]

I went on a call today to look at a Howard Miller model number 610-406 three train Longcase.
The owner had recently moved and sure enough they had left the pendulum on which had managed to jump off the suspension spring and bend the leader. No actual damage done. What I cannot understand is what this piece is for. Screwed onto the back cock and through the suspension spring. Almost impossible to put back on as you need about 6 hands to hold all the bits at the same time as putting the screw in, all through a side hatch and around the strike rods. Very user UNFRIENDLY compared with antique Longcases. Any information on this part would be welcome, thanks - Roy

 

[wow]

That is part of the auto-beat feature. It fits on the suspension spring post and the solid piece of the suspension spring hits it as the pendulum swings. It’s needed if the auto-beat is to work right.

 

[Willie X]

I thought it was there to protect the suspension spring from minor accidents and keep everything together during shipping. Same function as the little black plastic
'do-dads' that simply slip on the post from the back. Willie X

 

[wow]

I thought it was there to protect the suspension spring from minor accidents and keep everything together during shipping. Same function as the little black plastic
'do-dads' that simply slip on the post from the back. Willie X

Maybe that’s right. I always thought they had to stay on for the AB to work right.

 

[Dick Feldman]

That is one of those touch but cannot see pieces. I think both WOW and Willie X are correct.
Sometimes it is easier to pull the movement and install, rather than drop the pieces a dozen times or so.
Dick

 

[RoystonSmythe]

Thanks everyone, both answers make sense but I have left it off and the clock is working fine. It's not moving again so I am certainly not taking the movement out.

 

[Willie X]

I wouldn't either ...

It's rare for these springs to be damaged though. So, that clock's pendulum assembly really took a beating.

Willie X

 

[Dick Feldman]

You may be called back when the auto beat mechanism does not work.
JMHO
Dick

 

[wow]

Mark Butterworth says it is there to protect the SS from the customer. It keeps the leader from being pushed up and coming off of the SS. It is also a shipping protection thing.

 

[NEW65]

Mark Butterworth says it is there to protect the SS from the customer. It keeps the leader from being pushed up and coming off of the SS. It is also a shipping protection thing.

It's there not just for protection of the spring and to prevent the leader from becoming detached from the spring, but to keep the spring tight in the chops when the retaining screw is tightened. It's absolutely essential that the spring is tight in the chops to avoid wobble of the heavy lyre pendulums that are supplied with HM clocks.

 

[RoystonSmythe]

Thanks everyone.