Coffing Chainfall pinion gear problems

[SmoothTransition]

***SOLVED***Coffing Chainfall pinion gear problems

I need help with a Coffing LHH chainfall. The hand chain works smoothly and turns the load gear fine. But once the pinion gears are installed the hand chain is unable to turn the gears at all. The online PDF instruction manual for the chainfall is not much help. Is there anyone who can help with the proper gear alignment? Thanks!

***SOLVED***
The center spline was seized and wouldn’t turn. Once it was freed the gears could turn.

There was nothing in the maintenance guide that described this pat turning or needing lube and the schematic didn’t show it as two separate parts. Finally figured it out. Works great now. Thanks people who sent in some suggestions

 

[gdocktor3]

Are there any markings on the gears?

 

[Daniel Dudley]

If I had to guess, I'd say everything is getting clamped down too tight.
Any way that center gear is upside down ? Any way some shim or gasket is missing ?

 

[SmoothTransition]

Yes there is a timing mark stamped on each pinion gear. I attached an image of the assembly directions from the manufacturer in my original post. There are no other marks. I expected that if the alignment of the load gear was crucial units alignment there would be a “top dead center” mark of some kind. But the only marks are on the pinion gears.

 

[SmoothTransition]

If I had to guess, I'd say everything is getting clamped down too tight.
Any way that center gear is upside down ? Any way some shim or gasket is missing ?

I’ve put it together loosely and tight also but same result. No ability of load gear to turn the pinion gears.

The center (load) gear can only be installed one way facing up. If it’s turned over it binds on the casing where it sits. I tried that too.

I’ve looked over the exploded view drawing and nothing is missing. It’s quite a frustrating process. The mechanism seems straightforward but something is not clear that’s why I reached out to the garage journal community.

 

[2oolhound]

Try taking the central gear with the inner splines, lifting it out and shifting it one tooth over on the inner spline. Do this a few times marking the inner spline teeth so you know you only shift it one tooth at a time.

 

[SmoothTransition]

Try taking the central gear with the inner splines, lifting it out and shifting it one tooth over on the inner spline. Do this a few times marking the inner spline teeth so you know you only shift it one tooth at a time.

Thanks for your insight. Yes I have done as you suggest already. I’ve “walked” the load gear around one tooth at a time but still have not discovered the “magic” position where it all falls into place and everything meshes And flows smoothly. What am I missing???

 

[crazyjim30]

Maybe this will help.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[gdocktor3]

Switch the pinion gears around? Did it work before you took it apart?

 

[DenisG]

Here's a video that shows how a generic chain fall is assembled:

I think that you'll find your problem after you remove the hand wheel and look at the friction discs and ratchet gear. The friction disks are non-metallic and tend to rust and stick on the friction plate. There could also be a problem with a frozen or broken pawl on the ratchet wheel. I don't think that your problem is with the reduction gears.

 

[SmoothTransition]

Here's a video that shows how a generic chain fall is assembled:

I think that you'll find your problem after you remove the hand wheel and look at the friction discs and ratchet gear. The friction disks are non-metallic and tend to rust and stick on the friction plate. There could also be a problem with a frozen or broken pawl on the ratchet wheel. I don't think that your problem is with the reduction gears.

Thanks for the video link. I’ve watched a few YouTube vids already but that one was new to me. I’m going to go through the rebuild again. Thanks.

 

[SmoothTransition]

Here's a video that shows how a generic chain fall is assembled:

I think that you'll find your problem after you remove the hand wheel and look at the friction discs and ratchet gear. The friction disks are non-metallic and tend to rust and stick on the friction plate. There could also be a problem with a frozen or broken pawl on the ratchet wheel. I don't think that your problem is with the reduction gears.

Thanks I cleaned and overhauled all the parts and checked to make sure the Paul was freed up. I’m going to rebuild now.

 

[SmoothTransition]

Switch the pinion gears around? Did it work before you took it apart?

I’ve tried switching the pinion gears and no success. They are identical parts.
When I got the chainfall it was not working and that is what started this process of troubleshooting the unit. I was not expecting it to be such a riddle. I’m determined to get it working! Thanks for your post.

 

[SmoothTransition]

***SOLVED***
The center shaft was seized and wouldn’t turn. Once it was freed the gears could turn.

There was nothing in the maintenance guide that described this pat turning or needing lube and the schematic didn’t show it as two separate parts. Finally figured it out. Works great now! Thanks people who contributed suggestions

 

[DenisG]

***SOLVED***
The center shaft was seized and wouldn’t turn. Once it was freed the gears could turn.

There was nothing in the maintenance guide that described this pat turning or needing lube and the schematic didn’t show it as two separate parts. Finally figured it out. Works great now! Thanks people who contributed suggestions

Lots of times people just disappear after asking for help and you never know how things turned out. Glad you found the problem and kudos to you for solving it!

 

[SmoothTransition]

Lots of times people just disappear after asking for help and you never know how things turned out. Glad you found the problem and kudos to you for solving it!

Really stoked on garage journal and I hope someone down the road can benefit from this solution!

 

[2oolhound]

Thanks four the update!