Seiko A-201 caliber stem pulls out when setting time

[Neverenoughwatches]

The spring that appears to keep the setting lever in it's stem release hole would be this one. How about adding a slight bend to it to increase its lateral tension on the set lever. That hopefully will stop the riding of the set lever over the yoke. If those two aren't contacted correctly the yoke won't act on the clutch.

[RichardHarris123]

I have re-read the post and I  agree with @Neverenoughwatches, I wonder if the button has been pressed too hard and bent the spring?  Personal, I prefer a set screw to a button.  I've had to push really hard in the past, it just felt wrong  

[AndyGSi]

On 12/22/2024 at 11:34 PM, rph952 said:

I've posted on this issue before, but because it has been a long time, I'll start over. After adding the dial/hands/movement into case, the last step is inserting the stem into the movement. However, the stem keeps pulling out when setting the time. I make sure the set lever is in the mainspring winding position when I install the stem. So pulling the stem out moves the set lever to engage the winding pinion to the intermediate wheel for setting time. I can see that the set lever is fully engaged to the stem. Despite everything working prior to casing, it fails after casing. Any ideas?

Just having another look at these photos and it would appear the stem needs to be inserted in the winding position.

If you look at the first photo you'll see the setting lever may also be moved without
actually moving the clutch lever  if you try and insert the stem in the settings position.

There's also the chance if you press too hard when inserting the stem you'll also dislodge the setting lever spring.

[Neverenoughwatches]

34 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I have re-read the post and I  agree with @Neverenoughwatches, I wonder if the button has been pressed too hard and bent the spring?  Personal, I prefer a set screw to a button.  I've had to push really hard in the past, it just felt wrong  

You said just what i was thinking Rich, I broke a few of these little buggers or their connecting pieces when i started. You press the release button , the stem doesn't move, you press a bit harder it still doesn’t move, " I wonder if I press harder still something will break, I hope not "...." ah yeah I pressed too hard and something broke " 

If we're thinking about applying more force then we need to think again.

[RichardHarris123]

Was the push button a cost saving exercise? 

[Neverenoughwatches]

8 minutes ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Was the push button a cost saving exercise? 

Certainly wasn't a time saving exercise, nearly every keyless problem I've had has been related to something like this. 

[rph952]

Success. The watch is back together and running. More on that later... I did as NEW suggested and applied some pressure to the cover plate where NEW indicated. I was careful not to press too hard. That and snugging down the screws fixed it. Also, stem insertion is as I learned before, time-setting position. THANKS.