V2 Spring release/Anti-reversal latch

[Jiggiwatt]

Howdy folks,

Either my search skills suck, or it hasn't been directly asked. I want to open my V2 Mp5 mechbox without it exploding in my face. The spring however, is fully compressed. Is there any way that I can release the spring before opening the mechbox ? It's seized as well, hence why I couldn't fire it properly to release the tension.

Cheers

[m102404]

Stick a thin screw driver into the hole at the back (the spring guide is hollow and has a hole running through it). Keep it pressed/levered down while you open the halves. Then keep pressure/firm grip on the piston/guide/spring while you manually ease it apart.

Don't have either of the spring guide or piston pointing at you, at the TV or anything else breakable while you're opening it. Put something on either end (two mid-sized boxes work well) to catch things if it gets away from you.

Or...and I've always found it a bit tricky/unnerving...look down into the hole where the motor would go in, you should see the antireversal latch engaged in the bevel gear. With one small screw driver put pressure on the gear to turn it while lifting up the latch (hook it with a little allen key). It'll release all of a sudden.

Wear shop glasses...don't smile...but have fun!

[dpvu]

Look under the videos at http://www.mechbox.com/

They have one that shows the process using the screw driver. Even uncompressed if you're not careful things will still fly apart. Just make sure you don't lose anything.

[Jiggiwatt]

I've taken apart mechboxes before, just not a V2 and not when the spring was under tension. I'll try hitting the anti-reversal latch first, then use the spring guide method.

If I don't show up for any games in the next few weeks, you'll know why.

[CDN_Stalker]

Use the spring guide method ANY time you open a mechbox, period. To release the latch, might try either thin needlenosed pliers or a cut off allen key to hook the latch and pull it out. Might take a couple or a few tries though.

If it doesn't work, do the 'rod' in the spring guide hole trick, but be warned that the piston releasing might fuck your piston, might not. Had it happen once, removed the metal tooth of the piston, but you know I've worked on hundreds of mechboxes over the years, and have dealt with this a couple dozen times. Incidentally, the piston I fucked by opening the mechbox while it was fully cocked (was seized, no other option for me) was a DeepFire piston, so not a premium piston by any means.

[arnold869]

I made a tool out of a old motor pinion gear and soldered it onto a old screwdrive. It works awesome to cycle over a mechbox to decompress a spring.

[deep in the bush]

Originally Posted by arnold869

I made a tool out of a old motor pinion gear and soldered it onto a old screwdrive. It works awesome to cycle over a mechbox to decompress a spring.

Great Idea...figures a "Valley Boy" would figure that one out. Good idea... real good one. do you have a pic of it? if so please send me an image.

Thanks

[arnold869]

When I get back home next week I'll post up a picture.

[The Saint]

Make sure the screw driver has a shaft thick and long enough to keep the spring guide down and steady. If you use a shaft that's too thin or short, the spring guide might pop up anyways.

I thought about rephrasing the above, but I'm not going to bother.

[Jiggiwatt]

I was able to keep the spring guide in place, and as I pulled the shell apart, the spring released. I did this inside of a box that I cut a small window in to work, so if it blew up then I'd still have all the pieces inside the box. I think the bevel gear itself was jammed due to a bad shimming job.

On a related note, it annoys the hell out of me that I needed to take 872 screws and 45 plastic pieces off to take apart a god damned TM. I thought it was the Germans who always over engineered the crap out of everything.

[dpvu]

This is airsoft, there's always 652 little bits and if you lose one, you will always lose the smallest, yet more important one.

[m102404]

...like with the TM MP5 and it's stupid little o-ring that holds the hopup lever on....

Good to hear you got it fixed!

[Jiggiwatt]

Originally Posted by m102404

...like with the TM MP5 and it's stupid little o-ring that holds the hopup lever on....

Good to hear you got it fixed!

If by fixed you mean in pieces all over my office, then yes ! I figured while I have it open, I may as well replace everything inside it with shiny new parts. It's just become my project gun, as long as my primary keeps on ticking.