Stiff Volume Knob on old Midland CB

[BlueBoxUFO]

Hey fellas,

I picked up an old Midland 13-857 to install in my old VW Bus (mostly for talking on caravans, hanging at VW shows, and listening to skip). I'm still in the process of collecting parts (mounting bracket ordered, probably will get a Lil Wil for it), but I wired up power today and connected it just for a quick test.

I noticed that the volume knob is really stiff. It'll turn (and the unit powers up fine), it's not binding at all, and the squelch and delta knobs do not feel as stiff.

I'm trying to determine if there's anything I can do easily to help loosen up the motion of the knob. I'm not really at a level where I feel confident opening up the unit and I'm not sure if the knob slides off the shaft with a little effort.

Oddly, came across an advert for the same model of radio while doing some research today and it actually mentioned the issue with that knob. Maybe it was more of an issue. But I'm open to ideas and welcome the knowledge.

[jessejamesdallas]

On just about all radios, the knobs just slide off, but before removing the knob take note on where the "possession line" on the knob is facing, because when you slide it back on you need to be sure that mark lines up where it did before you removed it...

You can take a can of electronic cleaner and spray down around the shaft of the knob, that should free it up...electronic cleaner will evaporate fairly quickly so don't worry about getting it too wet...Just be sure to have the radio turned off before doing this.

You can even take some light oil and maybe put a drop down around the shaft of the knob to help free it up...I would avoid things like WD 40...

[MDYoungblood]

Yes, a electronic cleaner should loosen it up. I like DeoxIT brand, it comes in several forms, look for the one that also contains a lubricant.

3's

Greg

[TNT1450]

Yeah, those older radios sometimes have pots which get a little stiff... I think it's old grease or other lube in them that dries out over time, and since the 13-857 dates from the 70's it's not an unusual problem. Like the above replies said, pull off the knob and spray some contact cleaner or Deoxit down the shaft and try turning the shaft back & forth to get it worked in. Hopefully that will loosen things up. If not, it may require getting inside the radio and spraying the back side of the pot as well. If nothing loosens it up, it may need to be replaced. I probably have an old replacement pot in my junk box since I have salvaged a couple of old Midlands like that.