This lovely example of a Quiet-Riter came to us with an exceedingly annoying habit of type, type, type… STUCK… and I mean really stuck as the carriage would not budge. The owner is on a budget so we were all hopeful it would be an easy and fast fix.
This one was a little complicated. We dismantled the machine to diagnose the problem and it was pretty apparent there were several things coming into play. The tab set mechanism was stuck, and would not release. This was causing the type, type… stuck symptom. At every tab stop, it would stop! Clearing all the tabs and the typewriter worked just fine. Degreasing then oiling is usually the first thing considered and it helped just slightly as it became obvious there was clearance interference with the margin release, tab set and tab clear (they are all grouped into one mechanism in the back). We reestablished the lost motion needed for the tab clear and margin release and the tab set would just not move. After several frustrating tries, it finally was freed up to move. Of course, in the process of messing around with all the crap in the back I accidently popped the bell lever spring. Thankfully it was easily hooked back into its mount. Ding!
Now, it became apparent there was binding between the tab set/clear lever (left side of the key board) and the rear of the machine. It is such a simple push bar and a bit perplexing as it initially did not look like it was touching anything. Then I noticed a screw sticking out of the frame that had come loose. It was a simple as getting the push bar out of the way, tightening the protruding screw and this beautiful Remington was typing like a champion!