jhanko
Enlightened
Hello everyone..
My name is Jeff Hanko. Long time lurker, first time poster. I finally got around to looking into my L4's switch problem. My switch has been too hard and sticky since the day I got it. The only thing wrong with these switches is a lack of lubrication on it's plunger, ratchet and guide bore. I have come up with a disassembly procedure that guarantees no damage whatsoever. I am confident that anyone in this forum could perform this fix successfully and you'll be amazed with the results....
First, put the tail cap assembly in a ziploc sandwich bag and put it in a pan of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. This will soften the loctite on the threaded ring without damaging anything else. You MUST heat it to unscrew it.
Second, while holding the cap with a washcloth or something similar (it will be hot), unscrew the ring retaining the switch assembly and rubber boot. Unscrew the ring by grabbing the 2 slots in the ring (preferably with something plastic) and rotating counter-clockwise. I used a pair of plastic tweezers (the kind you find in a cheap first aid kit) to unscrew mine.
Third, remove the boot and switch assembly, making a mental note on how it came apart. There are not a lot of pieces in there to remember. The switch will basically fall apart in your hand. What you need to do is apply grease to the black plastic pieces (3 of them) that come off of the switch housing. I recommend using a synthetic grease as petrolium based greases could soften/swell the rubber boot. Krytox grease is perfect if you can find it, but any grease will do.
Finally, re-assemble in reverse order. If you like, you can use loctite on the threads again. When back together, you will notice the switch is much easier to push and when it clicks on and off it makes a solid quiet thump instead of the cheap plastic sounding click it had before. This fix turns a great flashlight into a flawless one.. and it takes less than an hour. If anyone needs any more info or pictures of disassembly procedure, let me know. Good Luck!
Jeff
My name is Jeff Hanko. Long time lurker, first time poster. I finally got around to looking into my L4's switch problem. My switch has been too hard and sticky since the day I got it. The only thing wrong with these switches is a lack of lubrication on it's plunger, ratchet and guide bore. I have come up with a disassembly procedure that guarantees no damage whatsoever. I am confident that anyone in this forum could perform this fix successfully and you'll be amazed with the results....
First, put the tail cap assembly in a ziploc sandwich bag and put it in a pan of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. This will soften the loctite on the threaded ring without damaging anything else. You MUST heat it to unscrew it.
Second, while holding the cap with a washcloth or something similar (it will be hot), unscrew the ring retaining the switch assembly and rubber boot. Unscrew the ring by grabbing the 2 slots in the ring (preferably with something plastic) and rotating counter-clockwise. I used a pair of plastic tweezers (the kind you find in a cheap first aid kit) to unscrew mine.
Third, remove the boot and switch assembly, making a mental note on how it came apart. There are not a lot of pieces in there to remember. The switch will basically fall apart in your hand. What you need to do is apply grease to the black plastic pieces (3 of them) that come off of the switch housing. I recommend using a synthetic grease as petrolium based greases could soften/swell the rubber boot. Krytox grease is perfect if you can find it, but any grease will do.
Finally, re-assemble in reverse order. If you like, you can use loctite on the threads again. When back together, you will notice the switch is much easier to push and when it clicks on and off it makes a solid quiet thump instead of the cheap plastic sounding click it had before. This fix turns a great flashlight into a flawless one.. and it takes less than an hour. If anyone needs any more info or pictures of disassembly procedure, let me know. Good Luck!
Jeff