Anyone here serviced a knob or shutter release on a seacam housing?

My shutter release has gotten extremely sticky, to the point where it's hard to move with my finger, and definitely is binding past the point where the inner spring can be of any help.

 

I've got it disassembled, but I'm not sure how to actually remove the shaft, there doesn't appear to be any set screws, I've removed the c-clip that seems like it would be holding it in, but I am too afraid to really press on the shaft to remove it.

 

Anyone done this?  Does it just take a lot of pressure?  Is there a trick to removing shafts from a new-ish seacam housing to get to the o-rings and clean it up?

 

Thanks!

[Photos attached for reference, showing the interior side of the disassembled shutter release (only the shaft is left), and the exterior shot with the lever removed.]

 

 

I don't have direct experience, I don't recall many Seacam users among the forum members.  It looks like they use an insert in the alloy of the housing for the shaft.  It is possible that has a lip on it to prevent it pushing inwards? 

 

First thing I would try is replacing the outer knob and rotating while trying to pull it out.  If that doesn't work I would try using a pin punch and gently tapping it to push it out from the inside.  It may help to have the handle on the shaft on the outside so that you can rotate the handle a little in between taps or have someone rotate as you tap gently. 

 

If that doesn't work, try someone like Backscatter to see if they can assist.

Thanks Chris!  Yeah there is an insert that the shaft is enclosed by. I’ve got an email to Backscatter as well. 
 

my inclination was to use a punch and try and tap it free but I didn’t want to bust anything out of ignorance. 
 

maybe the insert is a consumable?  I just don’t know. 
 

thanks for your advice!  I’ll see if anyone else has done this or to hear back from Backscatter before banging on it. 
 

if I don’t get any leads I may just give it a couple taps and see what happens.

cheers!

I found an online video where they explained about the bushing, sounds like it's hardened stainless steel, it can be replaced but needs to be drilled out., but it seems it only needs that is it's worn.

 

I'd definitely try re-installing the knob and twisting and pulling if you haven't tried already.  I would only tap it lightly trying to remove it, if you can rotate it it doesn't seem like it is seized.  You might for example need to rotate it to a certain position before you can remove it.