Overwound chimes how to repair?

Here is how I solved the problem of a clock wound so tight, I couldn't get the winding shaft to move at all. I thought it was frozen in place.

I figured out a way to release the spring tension. I ran the clock forward for 72hrs using the minute hand. That gave me enough slack that I slightly turned the winding key with one hand & held the rocker lock mechanism back & slowly released the tension. It was wound so tight that the winding key was almost flying out of my hand.
Anyway....now I'll see if being over wound was the problem.

If you can figure out a way to turn the winding key just enough to release the pressure off the locking/catch mech. Then slowly let the winding key turn in your hand & unwind. I had to do it in half turns then let go the catch mech so it would hold the spring till I got another hold on the key then repeat it till all the pressure is off the spring.
Be careful...my spring was so tight that I like to not have been able to hold the key. If you let it free wheel & you can't hold the catch mech, your running a chance of breaking the catch mech, a tooth off a gear or even breaking the spring. So make sure you have a good grip on the first attempt....it could be very hard to keep under control.
Hope this helps or gives you an idea of your own.

Charles Johnson
June 2014