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spacemission
·Thanks @ChrisN for a helpful thread as well as @mcgyver for his springs and his thread here ;
And here is a photo report of my own 1039 repair with a warning.
The regular spring loaded links are a pretty easy fix, if you have basic DIY skills or build model planes etc.
Fold the link as described here on page 1 and take out the broken spring if its still there. Then, with small pliers or strong tweezers you can place one side of the new spring in at an angle and bend it in gently to squeeze in the other end. The spring can loose shape a little but i will keep its flex in my experience.
So No need to open the side of the case !! as i think ( and happend to another member here who tried ) the side can break off quite easy.
But for the endlink conecting to the clasp you have to bend it open, there is no other way as Chris already mentioned.
What helps is to warm up the link, boiling water or some heating plate is enough, and be gently with the tap, knifer or hammer.
I also believe there never was a spring in this link from factory, as the size and shape must be very different from the others. But if someone has an original spring loaded one i`d be happy to be corrected. The replacement spring just does not fit in the shorter middle tube were it must be placed to function. But it sure does make it a better and more solid fit once in and protects the carrier bar inside with its flex.
Open it just enough
No spring
Replacement spring normal size and shape, it will not fit so cut off both feet and file it down
Like so
Still not a good fit
So took off some more
And push it in, takes some force, and we have a really good fit. Knock the side back into original shape and you are good to go.
The Warning ;
Neither of this works with the spring link that attaches to the first non-flex link, because it only holds 1 spring inside and so it wont bend "backwards" if you try to bend it to lift the sliding part. The link can break off like with mine. Looking at the 55 yrs dirt inside the rounded ends it probably was worn/weak already and gave way.
So this wont work on that middle link to lift the sliding plate up;
Or you get this , 2 halfs
of a link;
So you need a thin blade/screwdriver to slide under the small plate to lift it over the fixed outside part of the link before you push from the other side. Not an easy fix.
But a good experience and a lesson learned, all in the name of science 😉, and the bracelet is still long enough for me so no harm.
This 1039/516 is the most comfortable bracelet i have worn sofar, 1125-1171-1450-1498 and it only weighs 35 gram and the flat fit is excellent. It is not a strong as solid links maybe but this 1039 construction is pretty firm - good enough for normal wear/bikeride/lawnmower imo - and has an "automatic micro adjust" because of those srpings !
If you find one with some damaged springs for a good price, you know what to do !
Thanks for your time.
