The Steel Guitar Forum

The metal piece that connects the pedal rod to the bell crank is starting to crack on my b & c pedals.

1) Does this metal piece have a name?

2) Can I replace this piece or do I have to replace the whole bell crank? It looked like there was a hex screw I could loosen but no such luck. After looking really close it seemed that it was some circle shape with a tail, do I need a special tool???

3) If I cannot replace this metal piece how do I remove the bell crank? Do I have to the whole undercarriage a part?

Thanks in advance,
Rocco

The cross rod (if that's what you are referring to), is 3/8 inch drill rod, which can be purchased at any industrial hardware store. if you're talking about the piece that connects the pedal to the cross rod, you might have to get one made. I believe Linkon steel guitars in Canada may be able to supply you with the part.

I'd call it the "pedal rod to bellcrank link". It's just a flat piece of .062 steel about 2" long and 3/8" wide, with a small hole in one end, a bigger hole in the other, and a slot in the middle. Someone might have a couple lying around, or you could have anyone who's handy with a drill and a file fashion you up a couple. I've made many parts by hand like this, and it only takes a half-hour or so.

Thank you for everyone responses here and via email.

My problem is removing this part, or removing the whole bell crank. How is that done? There appears to be a set screw but it's not a hex/allen shape. It's kind of Q shaped from what I can tell.

Or, how do I take the whole bell crank off so I can pull one off the C6 neck swap it out?

Rocco

Hi Rocco, I think you may be referring to the small brass circle that is set in the bell crank or pulling finger. The pull rod goes thru it and is held in place by the set screw..it should be an allen hex screw. Unless it has been messed with or over tightened... the proper size allen wrench should loosen it.
If you can take a digital pic of it and post it here (put an arrow on the object you are referring to. I am sure one of us MSA owners can walk you thru the repair.
Parts are available from Linkon. <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Bo Borland on 21 February 2006 at 07:27 PM.]</p></FONT>

If it's the piece Donny described--a flat metal link the pedal rod hooks on to, and is susceptable to cracking on the side--then it looks like the crossshaft will have to be removed.
You'd better ask someone else about doing that.

I think Rocco might be referring to the tension pin that holds the flat metal piece in the crank...

Curry

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Curry Coster on 22 February 2006 at 07:52 AM.]</p></FONT>

By golly...there <u>is</u> a Curry Coster after all!

Donny is right. It is the "pedal rod to bellcrank link".

I'm going to put in a call to Bud Carter and see if he has any suggestions, but I think I'm going to have to remove the cross shaft.

Thanks guys.

Well. you won't have to remove it, but you'll have to slide it out far enough to get the bell crank off the end. (Normally, the pullers don't have to be removed from the rod, but the pull rods must be removed to allow the rod to slide about an inch, enough to clear the front bushing by 1/2".) The bell crank is fastened to the shaft by the set screw, and the link is fastened to the bell crank by a roll-pin (what Curry was referring to as a tension pin, some people also call them spring pins). Remove the link and bell crank as a unit, and then drive out the roll pin to remove the link from the bell crank.

If you can't find a replacement link, someone good with a TIG welder could repair (reenforce) your old ones.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 22 February 2006 at 05:06 PM.]</p></FONT>

Rocco: I think I have one of those in stock, if you want it, shoot me an email

Ernie http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

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I'll bet this is the part needed
picture of it

I had one crack on me back years ago in my 'MSA' days. There a real pain putting on because as what was said above is true, you have to pull the crossrod out to get it on there. If ya need this one, let me know.

Ernie Pollock
ERNIES MUSIC http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75/stock.htm

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