Broken X-axis spring on Cougar U2 NXT

After about 15 years of use one of the X-axis springs on my Cougar U2 NXT gimbal has failed. Measuring these up they appear to be stainless steel L:42mm, D:9mm with a gauge of 1.5mm.

After a quick ebay search, it looks like finding an exact match might be tricky. Does anyone have good source for the correct type of springs or had to replace the U2 NXT springs in the past?

Because they are custom made.

Contact Ian ( ubermod@optusnet.com.au ), he still has some "old" stuff laying around.

Thanks - I did wonder if Ian was still active. I've sent him an email, fingers crossed.

I ordered some extra springs a couple of years ago since i used my spares.

I had a U2 mod, before the U2 NEXT and the springs were from a slightly different material then the U2 NEXT ones, they broke a bit easier. He told me he had still a bit of springs laying around (just as a few other parts), so you might be lucky.

I've found some stainless steel springs of the correct dimensions and gauge steel but I suspect that this does not mean they will necessarily have similar properties. However, they are in China and current shipping is about 8 weeks!

I'll see how I get on with Ian, at the very least hopefully he can give me the specs of the originals so I can try and source them.

The U2 springs are really heavy ones... if Ian can't deliver you need to find something that gives +/ the same resistance.

Ian didn't have any springs left but he gave me the name of the company that originally made them - they were custom parts. However, I suspect they are going to only do custom orders in numbers greater than the 2 springs I need. I will see if I can source something elsewhere of equivalent dimensions / resistance but if that fails, I will give Ian's supplier a try.

Ian once told me that he didn't find the right springs on the market and therfore went down the custom made road. There are also different versions, with silicone silencer damper inside the spring and without. I had a few spare springs but i packet them together with my Cougar when i sold it last year.

I hope you find anything on the market.

Well some of the springs I ordered arrived yesterday and the first set I fitted seem to be a reasonable match. The X axis is now a little heavier than before but really not that noticeable and it will do for now. I should have a set springs that are potentially a better match to Ian's originals in the next few weeks.

BTW is there any trick to fitting the springs? I was lucky that the ones I used had hook ends but I would have really struggled had they been loops.

BTW is there any trick to fitting the springs? I was lucky that the ones I used had hook ends but I would have really struggled had they been loops.

A 3th hand can come in handy. Ian's springs all had loops...:cry:

Just cut the loops open with a wire cutter. :)

Fair point - it had crossed my mind that it might be an option.

Well some of the springs I ordered arrived yesterday and the first set I fitted seem to be a reasonable match. The X axis is now a little heavier than before but really not that noticeable and it will do for now. I should have a set springs that are potentially a better match to Ian's originals in the next few weeks.

 

BTW is there any trick to fitting the springs? I was lucky that the ones I used had hook ends but I would have really struggled had they been loops.

Hi exactly the same prob here please could you tell me where did you order?

Best regards

These are the replacement springs I currently have fitted on the X axis - maybe a little stronger than stock but only really noticable at the extremes of deflection (Spring steel, L:40 x W:8.5 x D:1.6)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Expansion-Extension-Entended-Tension-springs-DIY-metal-Die-stand-mechanic-Motor/183492465366?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=690824744766&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I have these on order (slow boat from China) and in theory they should be a better match for the originals (Stainless steel, L:40 x W:10 x D:1.5)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Expansion-Tension-Spring-0-3-2mm-304-Stainless-Extension-Expanding-All-Sizes-DIY/283388107286?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=584365142309&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Yardstick, how did you do with the springs? I need some myself. And are all 4 springs the same size? The 1st link is out of stock on the steel springs. Thanks

MORE AWSUM! The 1st link is out of stock, the 2nd link will not ship to USA,,, now what?

McMaster Carr has a great selection. I just have to takes some measurements, but there is one choice that I would have no idea about, and that is the "Rate" & "Load". Anyone have a fair guess?

https://www.mcmaster.com/springs/ext...h-hook-ends-7/

Oh boy, and music wire steel or spring tempered steel also?

the 2nd link will not ship to USA,,, now what?

Find someone in the UK to buy (enough UK forum members onboard) and ship them over to you?