Nikon F3 advance lever not springing back

gopool · Jul 29, 2019

Hello all,
I just picked up an old Nikon F3 and everything works fine except after winding the film the advance lever does not spring back to the starting position. I have to do that manual each time. I'm not positive but it seems like either a spring is dislodged or missing from the winding mechanism. I bought a replacement mechanism on eBay which included two springs (see image). The big one that holds the shutter release and a little black one, which I think in responsible for returning the advance lever to the starting position. However, I have no idea where to put that second spring. I've scoured the internet and spent hours looking at the Nikon F3 service manual. Can someone provide any guidance? Thanks in advance.

shutterfinger · Jul 29, 2019

http://arcticwolfs.net/

John Koehrer · Jul 29, 2019

Looks like an extra spring(bonus?). It's not either of the diagrams showing assembly.
Pg 12 LH side and between Pgs 11 and 12.

gopool · Jul 29, 2019

That is what I though. But if that is the case, how do I fix my original problem of the advance lever not springing back to it's original position?

Kino · Jul 29, 2019

gopool said:
That is what I though. But if that is the case, how do I fix my original problem of the advance lever not springing back to it's original position?

Of course, this suggestion will be met with horror, but I had a very sticky wind lever on a Zeiss Icon Contaflex and used a syringe to inject a few drops of 99% alcohol up under the wind lever. It immediately freed-up and has been winding smoothly ever since.

Of course, you could simply disassemble the wind lever assembly and clean it properly; bet it will function fine after that.

KN4SMF · Jul 30, 2019

I'm not familiar with F3 repair, but the secret to curing this problem on a Nikkormat is not under the top cover, but the bottom cover.

chriscrawfordphoto · Jul 30, 2019

Here's a parts list with a set of exploded parts diagrams for the F3. That might help you locate that spring.

http://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=4

gopool · Jul 30, 2019

chriscrawfordphoto said:
Here's a parts list with a set of exploded parts diagrams for the F3. That might help you locate that spring.

http://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=4

Thanks for the link. I think I've figured out the problem. I was able to remove the advance lever and noticed that the circular wheel that connects it to the winding mechanism in the body of the camera has a long coil wound around it (see image from manual below. The coil is under that big, black wheel under where it says multiple exposure coupler). I think for some reason that coil has lost tension. It looks like I'll have to remove the top plate to fix/replace it and I'm not comfortable doing that. Thanks for all your help. The camera still works, so I'll use as is for now.

Nikon F3 advance lever not springing back

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