Why Your Clock Stopped Running
Nine common reasons a clock quits - and which ones you can fix yourself.
Start with the obvious
Before assuming the worst, check three things: the clock is wound, it is level, and nothing is touching the pendulum. A surprising share of service calls end here.
Dirty oil is the usual culprit
Clock oil oxidizes and turns into a grinding paste within about five years. That paste wears pivots and pivot holes until the escapement can no longer receive enough power. The symptom is a clock that runs a few hours, then a few minutes, then not at all.
Worn bushings
Once a pivot hole becomes oval, gear teeth no longer mesh at the right depth. Adding oil buys a week. The real fix is a new bushing installed on a lathe.
Broken or set mainspring
A spring that has lost its temper delivers strong power for a day and almost nothing afterward. Springs must be inspected out of the barrel, not through the slot.
Out of beat
If the tick sounds like a limp - TICK-tock, TICK-tock - the pendulum is receiving uneven impulse. See our guide on setting a clock in beat.
When to call
If the clock stops repeatedly after cleaning attempts, stop experimenting. Call (303) 231-0085 and describe the symptom; we can usually name the likely cause on the phone.
Not sure what you are looking at? Send a photo or call and describe the sound. Most diagnoses start with a five-minute conversation.
Jordantero Co., Lakewood COMore guides
- How to Wind a Clock Correctly
- A Realistic Clock Maintenance Schedule
- Setting a Clock In Beat
- Moving a Grandfather Clock Safely
- Chime and Strike Troubleshooting
- Understanding Clock Movement Types
- What Makes an Antique Clock Valuable
- Clocks and Colorado's Dry Climate
- How to Choose a Clock Repair Shop