Lee Deluxe Turret Press not auto indexing

[giggitygiggity]

My Lee Turret Press has stopped auto indexing. I took apart the plastic component that the auto index rod passes through but cannot figure out what the problem is or how those plastc components should be situated. Please let me know if you have any advice or input. Thanks.

 

[timburn]

I just had the same problem and called Lee. The little square thing inside the collar had worn. There were extras wirth thew press. worked fine as soon as I replaced.

 

[1SOW]

The plastic "square" piece is inserted with the flanged (widest) portion "UP".

They will last a long time if you are careful to raise the ram and disengage from the indexing rod "before" you manually turn the turret.

The LEE site has pics.

 

[bison]

If it's the square thingie that's gone bad, order a bunch of them from Lee. They're very cheap and it's worth having plenty of extras around.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Three ideas:

The square ratchet is designed to drag on the indexing rod ever so slightly. That way, as the ram is going down, the ratchet engages notches inside the indexing arm and forces the indexing rod to rotate.

If it does not lift, it does not engage the notches. If the notches are worn out (rarely happens) rotation will be unreliable.

Forgive me for asking. You are not short-stroking the ram, are you? If the ram does not go all the way down, it may not be getting into the twist.

Bonus factoid: I keep my spare on the indexing rod, shoved 'way up to the top where it's out of the way. Otherwise, I would be sure to lose it.

Lost Sheep

 

[greyling22]

helpful tip I learned after thousands of rounds: if you oil your turret a little with 10w30 or something your ratchet lasts longer and operation is smoother. helps to periodically grease the pivot pins too.

 

[giggitygiggity]

Thanks a lot. I replaced the square plastic piece with the extra one that came with the press and it now works like a champ.

 

[jpwilly]

Don't forget to lube the press and order a few extra ratchets to have on hand.

 

[hddeluxe]

Also, a little tip I learned from Lee. If you don't have another ratchet you can heat your old one with a heat gun for a short period and let it cool and then it will work like new until you can get a replacement. It works. I have tried it myself.