My beloved plastic keeps responding!

Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance
1

Hey folks! Fresh account, been into the hobby since late '22, fell off, trying to get back in the groove.

Last year I purchased a Mowl High Wall SH, and it’s an absolutely beautiful piece that plays wonderfully. However, at some point, for seemingly no reason, it started to respond hard on me, and I shelved the poor guy after a bit. Today I dug it back up after having not touched it since I moved last November, but the thing is still responding, no matter what I’ve tried—I put fresh string on, cleaned the bearing out, tried another bearing, put fresh pads in, all to no avail. I thought the spacers had gotten lost (and as a result, recently ordered new ones), but I had a look earlier, and they appear to still be in.

This is the only throw which has given me this much trouble with becoming responsive, and it’s really bumming me out, because I’m trying to get back into the hobby, and the High Wall is one of my favorite plastics, but I can’t even throw slack around without it slamming back into my hand.

Slim chance, but might anyone know anything else I could possibly try to get my beloved throw in working order again? Any pointers would be appreciated.

2

Whichever bearing you’re running, take the string off the bearing with the YoYo assembled. Wrap the string around the axel a few times and then rip out like you’re trying to pull start it. It should free spin for a minimum of like 3-4 seconds. If not, remove the bearing and try free spin the bearing on your bearing remover. If still doesn’t spin, it needs a cleaning. If it does spin now, there is a problem with your bearing seat which is deforming the inner race and causing friction within the bearing

Barring this test, have you pried any parts out of either half? This could cause mark that could be grabbing the string when in play, or your pads are not flush

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3

Check that the spacers are facing the right direction. They should only contact the bearing at the inner race.

4

when you clean the bearing, take a qtip with rubbing alcohol and clean the bearing seat on both halves really well

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