Most of the time when a clock is warn out or dry, you wind it up and it doesn't do anything. If your clock has not been oiled in 3 years then it is dry. If it has not been overhauled in 10, it is warn out and needs bushings. You need to have a repairman look at it and determine what it needs. Because you are applying pressure the clock runs because it now has more power than it was designed to have. (spring + your pressure)
Stevens Clocks
June 2009