Lee Classic Turret Press Not Indexing

[WildeKurt]

I was loading some ammo yesterday (.357 magnum) and the press stopped indexing reliably. Mostly it only would index 1/2 a position at a time. I've loaded about 1600 rounds on it thus far. I took apart the Auto Index Clamp. There's a small piece inside that fits around the index bar. It didn't look particularly worn but then I never saw it when it was new. I reassembled it and it still would not index correctly. Is this a normal wear part? The parts list shows the whole clamp but not the internal insert. Has anyone else seen this problem? The press has worked flawlessly up to this point.

Kurt

 

[RustyFN]

Check out this thread started by Benedict1. It should help. I know it will explain it a lot better than I can.
Rusty

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=280964

 

[pinkymingeo]

The indexing mechanism is the weak link (read "cheesy") in an otherwise excellent press. A dozen of the drive ratchets will cost you ten bucks delivered. I keep spares around at all times. Unless your loading style is making full strokes of the handle, you'll deform them.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I had to replace the square nylon ratchet after several thousand rounds. Now its like a new press. I ordered a bunch of them, from what I have read, that has to be changed periodically.

 

[benedict1]

Not quite what you think it is

The indexing mechanism is the weak link (read "cheesy") in an otherwise excellent press. A dozen of the drive ratchets will cost you ten bucks delivered. I keep spares around at all times. Unless your loading style is making full strokes of the handle, you'll deform them.

You might want to read through the material in the link Rusty noted above. It will explain why it is designed the way it is--the part is supposed to fail if you do something wrong that could damage more expensive parts. Fail-safe engineering has been around for years and this is just an example of it applied to reloading presses--

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=280964

 

[kellyj00]

not to hijack, but is there a warranty on this ratchet part? It's a tiny piece of plastic, you'd think that they'd give you a few extras whith your press.

 

[benedict1]

Yes, all parts are under warranty, no matter what you may have heard or even been told by a "nice lady" on the phone at Lee. Two year unconditional warranty. And, yes, most presses are now shipped with an extra square ratchet gear.

If you call Lee to get one be insistent that it is a warranty part if anyone tries to tell you differently.

 

[Gunfixr]

As said, it is a wear part, and short-stroking the press will damage it, sometimes the first time. It is designed that way. I quit using it some 15 or so yrs. ago, just indexing by hand. I can still crank out 100 rds. an hour without working hard, so I don't bother with the ratchet mechanism anymore, even took the clamp off the ram.

 

[kellyj00]

I asked them for one a while ago since they were shipping me a spring anyhow (didn't come in the package) and the shipping would be free.

They sent me one for a 3 turret. The first time I asked for a spring, they sent me the lever.

I think this 'nice lady' has as much knowledge of the composition of her product as the weiner factory does.

 

[Eagle103]

Yes, all parts are under warranty, no matter what you may have heard or even been told by a "nice lady" on the phone at Lee.

So I'm not the only one who's talked to her. I got a bill for $5 from them for 2 squares for my 1 month old press. I finally just sent it so I don't get on their bad credit list for the time I need something else.