Trem Arm Insert Won't Loosen

[Skeeter]

Hi all,
I recently got a used PRS and everything is fine, but the when I try to adjust the trem arm stiffness (with the tiny screw next to the saddles screws) it doesn't get any looser. I even unscrewed it so far that the little screw came out and still no difference. I am fimiliar with this adjustment, and have used it for years on other PRSi, but never have seen it like this....

Anyone have this experience or know what could be causing this - a defunct screw? Not properly placed? The rubber insert looks normal to me..could it be warped?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Being used, maybe check and confirm you have a PRS arm...and not another brand. Or the insert could be bent if a previous owner tried to force an arm in and it wouldn't go...just a couple ideas.

 

[alantig]

Had this exact problem with my 513. Dr. Johnsonstein fixed it for me, but I didn't see what he did because he walked it into the factory.

It was much like taking a child to the hospital - you know it's in good hands and that it's going to be fine when it comes back, but that guy is walking away with your baby!

 

[Skeeter]

Had this exact problem with my 513. Dr. Johnsonstein fixed it for me, but I didn't see what he did because he walked it into the factory.

It was much like taking a child to the hospital - you know it's in good hands and that it's going to be fine when it comes back, but that guy is walking away with your baby!

Thanks - does anyone have an idea of what the fix is? It seems like it's a simple thing? I'm on the west coast, so sending to PTC just for this is excessive. Maybe the insert needs to be replaced?

 

[alantig]

I think you're right that it's simple. It was maybe 15-20 minutes, including walking time.

 

[rabidhamster]

Can you get the trem arm out? If you can, maybe peer down in there and see if there's a hold up. You might be able to plug the plastic insert easily with some forceps, I couldn't help it on one of mine. Maybe it just needs a little futzing with

 

[rugerpc]

I'd be tempted to try the tiniest little drop of fretboard oil in there off the tip of a toothpick...

 

[László]

I'd be tempted to try the tiniest little drop of fretboard oil in there off the tip of a toothpick...

Well...fretboard oil is mostly naphtha (they use that in dry cleaning and lighter fluid), which evaporates and doesn't lubricate very well.

If you need a lubricant...maybe a tiny bit of graphite would help. And I mean tiny, or you'll have a mess.

 

[Skeeter]

Yea I'm able to get the arm in and out - but I have the bushing screw all the way out and it's still very tight. Just leaving the arm in there overnight seems to be helping a little - and it's workable, I just know it's not normal compared to every PRS trem I've encountered.

I think I just need to replace the plastic bushing - must have gotten warped. The replacement is part of the trem kit you can order from PRS fairly cheap, so hopefully that's it and an easy fix.....

 

[Shawn@PRS]

Use a hand held auger and ream out the hole a little bit. It will be A LOT easier than trying to replace the trem arm bushing.