Axis Gotoh Floyd & Squeaky Trem Arm Advise?

[zyx345]

I want the trem arm on my Axis to swing freely. I found that the tiny trem arm adjustment screw near the high E string did not do anything when I loosened it so I took off the back plate and loosened the bolt at the bottom of the trem slightly so the trem arm would swing.

It now swings freely but squeaks and seems to catch a little when rotating all the way around (360 degrees).

I did a search and saw that some recommend a little 3 in 1 oil as WD40 is too thin.

My question is where should I apply it?

Should I take the trem arm all the way out and apply it to a certain area?

 

[Sub1 Zero]

I'd just remove the arm and put a light coat of oil on the end that inserts.

 

[TNT]

Use "Break Free". It's awesome !! It's a tad pricey but well worth it!!

In fact you should use it on ALL the screws and pivot points, etc. . . .

I wouldn't recommend anything else.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Going from my experience I had squeaks coming from my AL trem.
I used a really small amount of WD40 using the straw applicator and I haven't had a sueak since - WD 40 is fine if you use it in small quantities - try it - I'm sure it will work.

 

[zyx345]

Going from my experience I had squeaks coming from my AL trem.
I used a really small amount of WD40 using the straw applicator and I haven't had a sueak since - WD 40 is fine if you use it in small quantities - try it - I'm sure it will work.

Thanks. I may try the WD40 first but I want to be careful with it as WD40 is pretty thin so I may try to put some on a Q-Tip, remove the trem bar, and dab the area.

 

[grumpyoldman]

Just play louder.

 

[zyx345]

Thanks to all for all of the advice. In response to grumpyoldman the squeak was also getting transmitted through the amp so playing louder was not an option.

I took Spudmurphy's advice and used WD-40 on the bar itself and put it back in and it appears to swing freely and fluidly now, knock on wood...

One thing I would add, for anyone doing this make sure that when you loosen the screw at the bottom of the Gotoh Floyd and remove the bar pay attention to any little plastic washers that might fall out. Mine had 2 little plastic washers that fit on the bolt under the trem bar on the top side and one that fit on the bottom side of the trem.

These washers also seem to be important in the fluid movement of the trem bar.

 

[grumpyoldman]

In all honesty, I had the same problem - including the fact that the squeak came through the amp (was having a quasi-funny moment there, my humblest apologies to anyone who took my suggestion seriously, although it does solve lots of other problems...). I just tightened up the bar, and that worked for me as I don't like the bar swinging freely...now it sits, QUIETLY, where I want it to be.