Need advice on fixing Carter vertical knee lever

[Andrew Mortazavi]

I have a Carter SD10 5x3.... or I would if my vertical knee lever hadn't gone "lazy".

I can prop it up on my knee, but it won't stay up and I have been told this is a common failure. Any hacks for fixing this? Is there some way to clamp the lever?

I couldn't find a replacement kit... though I would be willing to buy one if anyone has one.

[Tucker Jackson]

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I tied the string on 15 years ago as a momentary fix, and it worked so well it's still there. The case still closes with the lever in this position with no problem.

[Howard Parker]

A drop or 2 of blue Loctite in the pivot "joint" fixes mine for approx 6 months. Repeat as necessary.

h

[Sean McDonald]

Funny, I had exactly the same issue on my Carter SD-10 3x5 and did exactly as Tucker described with the same type of white string (although for me it’s only been tied up like that for 6 months vs. 15 years)!

[Andrew Mortazavi]

Thanks for the advice!

I thought there might be some way to clamp it elegantly, but string method seems fine! Nice to know about the locktite too

[Lee Baucum]

I’m curious to know what part of the assembly failed.

~Lee

[Jerry Overstreet]

I don't speak for Andrew, but in my case Lee, the issue is that a roll pin attaches the lever fork to the hub. The lever gets enough wear and weight, I guess, over time to loosen on the hub so that it doesn't fit tight and falls down and there's no way to apply tension back to the connection.

I fixed mine by driving out the pin, taking off the lever and bending down the gap so that if fits tighter. I also drilled the pin hole on the lever and hub out enough to install a #4 screw and nut to allow tightening if/when if gets loose again. So far, so good.

I'll add that getting that roll pin out is a bear. I rigged a pin pusher to a small "C" clamp to push it out enough to grab with a needle nose plier.

[Bob Carlucci]

Never had that issue on a Carter, but if I did, I would remove the roll pin, drill the hole out a tiny bit, and install a screw and nut in its place, and then use some blue Loctite to keep the threads in place.. That way, over time, it can be re tightened... Otherwise, just sticking some Red Loctite in there might hold it for a while... btw, the string works, I have done similar with big rubber bands on pedal steels, and it worked so well, those rubber bands just became part of the guitars mechanics, like the screws, nuts bolts, clamps etc...

[David Wren]

So, I'm for sure, like other Carter PSG players.....familar with the Vertical knee lever drop. I at first getting the guitar, added a very strong rubber band. My main problem was this very long lever getting sheared off, so the rubber band to keep it up and out of danger.

Hope this helps.