Cross Ballpoint Pen Clicks When Twisted

[850kenwood]

In 1985 when I left a company, they gave me a gold Cross Ballpoint Pen and Pencil set engraved with my initials on the clip half of each barrel. At the time I was using a Parker 75 Cisele Fountain Pen and Pencil set (still do, except the pencil has been replaced with a roller ball) so I put the Cross set in a draw and forgot about it. Recently I came across it and found the pencil worked fine but not the pen. If you twist the pen to lower the pen point, it turns as you would expect but after turning it 60 degrees it turns hard until something clicks and then it goes another 60 degrees and clicks again. This occurs for the full 360 degrees and will go on as long as turn the top half in either direction. The point does not lower and if I remove the actual ballpoint pen part, it still clicks every 60 degrees. If I turn the ballpoint pen part by hand with the top half off, it does lower. It would appear the problem lies with the top half.

 

The paperwork with the set indicates a lifetime warranty, but I have feeling that doesn’t mean repair but replace which means I will lose the engraved cover and considering the age of the set, the pen when it is returned might not even match the pencil.

 

My question is, does the clicking every 60 degrees ring a bell with anyone and can it be easily fixed?

[Orthostylos]

Just guessing at this point, but I would investigate the refill. Some cross pens I have, have a plastic part at the top of the refill. I think some knurled and some with "steps" at the top part which probably engage with somethin in the top portion to engage the pen tip lowering.

 

I would investigate that, as the plastic might have deteriorated over the past 30 years.

 

(or perhaps the ink has leaked causing some lubrication inhibiting the engaging)

 

It may be as simple as replacing the refill.

 

Good luck.

[dut1974]

They will try and repair it, you just have to let them know it has sentimental value. There is a box to check on the form to state this. If it is not repairable, they return it along with a new Pen, at least this was the case in the past. I would call them first to confirm

[kenwood]

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to reply.

 

@Orthostylos: I did try it with a different refill before posting and the results were the same.

 

@dut1974: I will do that.

 

Thanks again.

[dadbar]

I fixed one of my old Cross pens by squirting WD40 into the barrel with the reflll removed.