Olympus OM repair question

[jgoody]

On my OM2 the little plastic piece that switches between "Manual" "off" "auto" and "check" just broke off and then the plastic remnant fell out. I have an OM 1 that's basically shot -- is the little plastic lever the same -- and if so, how would I swap it out? Attached is a photo of the top of both cameras with the knob/lever missing on the OM2.

 

[shutterfinger]

See that flat on the OM2 shaft? Look at the pieces, there should be a spring the size and shape of the shaft that fits inside of the lever, if it is missing it might explain why it broke. Some knobs may have a piece of flat spring steel on the flat only. If thery're the same the OM1 lever should pull off by lifting straight up with a slight rocking side to side. Removeit and check, it just presses on.

 

[jgoody]

There isn't a flat -- the shaft is knurled (if that's the right word), it has grooves that run up and down. I don't think a spring was in there. I put the two pieces that broke side by side and it just looks like a hole is there to receive the shaft. I also am a little confused as to what the vertical post next to the knurled shaft (which is lower) does. I don't see a second recess in the broken knob (lever). Perhaps the knob sits above that? I tried turning the shaft with a screwdriver as it's slotted and all the functions work. He's a blown up pix. I tried to pry off the lever on my OM1 but just managed to chip it. Could they have glued them on? I wonder if I could fabricate an aluminum, plastic or hardwood piece and affix with a tiny drop of epoxy?

 

[faberryman]

Snip off a bit of a paper clip and superglue it in the grove.

 

[jgoody]

Groove is too small for a paper clip -- jeweler's screwdriver size. But superglue might be a good idea. I am paranoid about excess glue getting in and gumming up the shaft and it not turning freely. Wonder if there is some knob available or that I could make with a set screw to hold it in place.

 

[shutterfinger]

Light/lens angle made it look like a flat. Slotted shaft is another design for positive knob lock to prevent slipping. Still the lever on the 1 is push on pull off just like the 2's.
Try it.
The pin at the rear is likely a stop, if there is no slot for it there was likely protrusions that prevented turning the lever too far.
Gently pry/pull the lever off the 1 and see what it looks like. The only thing I would attempt gluing is the broken lever parts.

 

[faberryman]

Seriously, you can buy a "parts or repair" body off eBay for cheap, and scavenge the part.

 

[shutterfinger]

http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/PDFs/OM-1_1of4.pdf
S lever CA 8962
S lever base CA 8963
S lever base nut CA 8964
S lever connecting plate CA 8965
http://olympus.dementix.org/Hardware/PDFs/OM-2_1of5.pdf
S lever CE 0562
S lever base CE 0801
Parts are similar, unknown if they will interchange, try it.

 

[jgoody]

I emailed with John Hermanson whom I gather is the OM expert and he tells me that the lever is not replaceable but he can replace the whole switch, while doing an overhaul. As the camera certainly could use it, I am planning on sending it in to him. Has anyone here had work done by John?

 

[nbagno]

He's the man for OM repairs but be prepared to wait as he always has a backlog.

 

[jgoody]

Fortunately I have a 2nd OM body for emergencies!

 

[shutterfinger]

he tells me that the lever is not replaceable but he can replace the whole switch,

Sounds like a parts availabilty issue. The lever would not have a seperate part number if it were not available seperately when parts were in production.

I would glue the broken pieces together.

There are currently 2 OM2 bodies on Ebay for parts, with shipping from Japan they will be roughly $40 each, pictures show good switch levers.

 

[jgoody]

I don't think the parts are really possible to glue. I thought of just fabricating a lever of 3/16 aluminum or even hardwood and drilling tapping for a tiny set screw but the seals are original etc. so perhaps it's time for a CLA as well.