550B issues

[dustinoif3]

I've had my 550 for about a year and a half and I've never had a bit of trouble till the other day. I was changing the machine from 45 to 40 and my last step was the primer bar. I disassembled and cleaned and installed the small primer bar. When I ran the press a couple times to check everything out I noticed the primer bar not going all the way back. After bending the rod I noticed no change. I then removed the rod and return spring and just pulled the bar back by hand and noticed the last 1/2" of travel was very sluggish. My last move was loosening the two bolts that hold it on. When it's finger tight it runs fine but when I apply a little torque with the Allen wrench it gets sluggish. I didn't have an issue with the large bar. Just the small. I've tried dillon a few times but its like getting ahold of the White House. Any ideas?

 

[korykhunter]

Never had that problem with mine but would suggest a little lube and make sure the primer tube doesn't twist when you torque it down. I know things are nuts for anything gun/reloading related but if/when you get hold of Dillon they will make it right.

 

[dustinoif3]

Never had that problem with mine but would suggest a little lube and make sure the primer tube doesn't twist when you torque it down. I know things are nuts for anything gun/reloading related but if/when you get hold of Dillon they will make it right.

Like the whole assembly twisting?

 

[korykhunter]

I know mine has a little play before I tighten the screws. You have to make sure it stays square with primer bar as you tighten the screws. Not sure if this is the problem or not.

 

[Bill Larson]

call them.......they`re good they`ll help..........

 

[dustinoif3]

I know mine has a little play before I tighten the screws. You have to make sure it stays square with primer bar as you tighten the screws. Not sure if this is the problem or not.

K. I'll check it out. Thanks for some input

 

[dustinoif3]

call them.......they`re good they`ll help..........

I've tried most of last week. Like I mentioned its like I'm trying to reach the White House. I agree that they are good. They've helped every time I use to call before SHTF

 

[ponger]

Does the bottom of the primer bar have a rough surface on the end beneath the shell plate?

 

[Nodogs]

I've had that problem frequently. When you change the primer bar, you need to make sure everything is clean. Spilled powder and carbon from the old primers will cause the bar to hang up and I usually get unprimed cases as a result of the bar not going back far enough. Two other things I've found, don't use any lube (powdered might be ok) and don't tighten the shell plate very tight. The lube will gum up any powder that goes there. Having the shell plate tight lets if bind up with any spilled powder too.

I've always got quick responses on the dillon forum from Someone at Dillon.

 

[ZiaHunter]

Dillon recommends not lubricating the bar. Make sure everything is clean and in alignment and don't over tighten the screws Based on your explanation you may want polish the bar with a scotch brite pad or some 600 grit paper. I do this to the powder charge bars and it helps them run smoothly.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Mine had a similar issue a good while back, took a little steel wool and alcohol to clean any residue, etc out of it. I did put a small amount of dry graphite powder on the race the bar slides on--really smoothed it out nicely.

 

[deadnbrkn84]

I can solve this one. I had the same issue. It was caused from over tightening those two screws. It caused two "bulges" where the screws are and the left hand side of the primer bar is hanging up on them. I took a file and knocked them down ever so slightly and no more issue. The metal the screws go into is relatively soft and over tightening them will cause them. Run you finger along the inside there and you'll feel it. Let me know if this helps

 

[dustinoif3]

Deadnbrkn84 you were all over it. I've got two very noticeable bumps on the inside. What's crazy is that it doesn't feel like I tighten them that tight or en

 

[dustinoif3]

Or enough to do damaged. Maybe I'm heman or something and I don't know it. Ill have to file on it tonight when I get off work. I did find some rough parts on the bar so I smoothed them up real quick this morning. I appreciate all the input on this issue! Ill post this evening when it's fixed!!

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Yeah it really doesn't take much on those to over do them. They also don't really need to be that tight either. Now when I tighten them after doing a caliber swap I use the small part of the allen key and two fingers to tighten them and don't crank on them. They haven't come loose yet doing it this way

 

[dustinoif3]

Yeah it really doesn't take much on those to over do them. They also don't really need to be that tight either. Now when I tighten them after doing a caliber swap I use the small part of the allen key and two fingers to tighten them and don't crank on them. They haven't come loose yet doing it this way

Just got done filing the bulges down and scrubbed on the shim and bar itself. Put it together and it works like butter. You guys bailed me out and I appreciate it! I will definetly do the two finger tighten from here on out.

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Glad to help