L4 clickie repair instructions..

[V8TOYTRUCK]

Mine is as smooth as a Kroll now.

 

[grnamin]

I want to say thanks very much for this fix. I took the plunge tonight after my Z57 started malfunctioning. I now have a smooth operator of a clickie with a washer from an old SF 123.

 

[Darell]

Oops. Sorry about the extra digit. Tough to get out of inch mode. Yes I meant 0.52mm. (Edited now) And I've found what others have found - some 123 rings are too small in ID to fit on the switch. The SF rings I've tried seem to fit right though. I've finally done the fix (and shunt) on all of mine, and couldn't be happier. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[AlexGT]

I know this is an old thread, but I just did the mod to my Z57 and all I have to say is....WOW!!!!

Thank you Lightfuse, Ratdog and PeterB (Sorry if I missed anyone)for the detailed instructions in how to make it right. It was fun, easy and fast to do.

My clickie now feels way better than the scorpion switch,it almost doesn't make any click sound at all and I can turn it on with my little finger, I used Triflow high performance sintetic grease with teflon (It is used on bikes) and it works great! That shimano gear tool is great for removing the nut without removing any anodize. I thank you all for this incredible and easy mod.

Sincerely
Alex

 

[smokinbasser]

I might as well post my results for contemplation. I collect knives and use a pivot lube called White Lightning chain lubricant.It is a waxy lube in a highly volatile carrier. I applied some in my Z57 at the spring and base of the thread area inside the tail cap. it is so thin it penetrates quickly and the carrier evaporates rapidly leaving a coat of this waxy lube adhering to all that it came into contact with. Perhaps I was lucky in the Z57 lottery but it is almost a perfect kroll twin for smooth operation.To be on the safe side though I am saving the plastic rings from the negative end of the surefire 123s for the spacing and conductivity patches.

 

[Miciobigio]

I think that the "conductivity patches" is a must, my z57 before the conductivity patches made "some noise" when the 123 batt was below 2,9 volt and light output had some flicker too.
Use a DMM to measure the resistance of the z57 in the "on" position before and after the mod .

 

[dwminer]

Who would have thought that a 123 batt washer would supply such a simple fix for the L4's switch problem. Thanks to everyone. Dave

 

[Quickbeam]

I've been reluctant to try this because of the lack of washers - now that the 123 battery washers have been found, I thought I'd give it a shot.

I cannot believe the difference this has made in both my Z57 clickies.

Thanks to all involved!

 

[StevieRay]

Well, as luck would have it. I couldn't get the retaining ring off of mine.

I boiled it twice for 5 - 10 minutes. So I said, "Why not just spray some silicone done inside, otta loosen it up." Well it is now stuck in the on position! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Can anybody help, please?

 

[Quickbeam]

I boiled water in a half full coffee mug in the microwave, put the mug on the counter, put the switches in a plastic bag, and dipped them for 5 minutes. I then used a 90 deg angle head on my o-ring pliers ($3 at Harbor freight) and they twisted right off.

 

[LitFuse]

[ QUOTE ]
Quickbeam said:
I've been reluctant to try this because of the lack of washers - now that the 123 battery washers have been found, I thought I'd give it a shot.

I cannot believe the difference this has made in both my Z57 clickies.

Thanks to all involved!

[/ QUOTE ]


Did you shunt the small spring when you had it apart?


[ QUOTE ]
StevieRay said:
Well, as luck would have it. I couldn't get the retaining ring off of mine.

I boiled it twice for 5 - 10 minutes. So I said, "Why not just spray some silicone done inside, otta loosen it up." Well it is now stuck in the on position! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Can anybody help, please?

[/ QUOTE ]


Steve, you didn't get it hot enough. I don't use the boil in a bag method, I use a heat gun, which works every time. Before I had the heat gun, I would press the clickie directly to the element on my electric stove for about 10 or 15 seconds which also worked without fail. If you can't get it to work, you could mail it to me and I'll fix it up free of charge.


Peter

 

[StevieRay]

LitFuse,

Yeah i really f**d it up. I bent the little pins out on the inside of the switch. It now clicks a little better, but I have lost the electrical continuity inside the switch now. I believe that I will send it to you.

I will be glad to paypal you for all of your trouble and any cost. Or would i be better off just going to Surefire?

 

[LitFuse]

Steve, I'm pretty sure that SureFire will want to sell you a new tailcap. My offer for a free fix still stands, I'll PM you with the mailing address in a minute.


Peter

 

[StevieRay]

Never mind,

I fixed it. I used a hair dryer to break the seal. then after much trial and error, I had to bend the contact pins in a little to make a good connection. What size washers did you use? the one from a battery that I got has a hexagon cut out and doesn't fit. Or is the grease method the better way?

Steve

 

[LitFuse]

The washer from a SF or Duracell 123 cell is what you need. You need the washer, you don't need the grease.


Peter

 

[StevieRay]

at the moment, iI don;t have any spent batteries to obtain the washer.

Do you know the specs on it and can I buy one from Home Depot?

 

[LitFuse]

Forget about trying to buy one, it's not an off the shelf type of washer. If you give me your address, I'll drop one in the mail to you.


Peter

 

[Erik Johnson]

Shouldn't it be the plastic ring at the negative end of a SureFire battery? It sounds like StevieRay is trying to use the plasic piece from the positive end.

The piece at the negative end looks just like a standard thin washer.

Erik.

 

[LitFuse]

That's what I get for assuming that SR knew that he needed to use the washer from the (-) end of the battery. Thanks Erik, it never even occured to me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif


Peter

 

[StevieRay]

Guys,

Thanks! I got the ring off the end of a Duracell. BTW, what function does this ring serve by being on the end of the battery. Some have them and some don't. Also where exactly n the clickie does this go?

Thanks,