Trouble Removing Lower Shaft

[Altamaha]

I'm having problems removing the lower shaft on my CTX 3030, has anyone else had this problem or is it just me? Should be a no brainer or is this just another issue with this over priced Rolls Royce metal detector? I think I might have read something in earlier threads about this but can't seem to find it in the searches. The shaft hangs at the cam lock and I have tried wiggling/rotating/pulling it etc, but don't want to put too much pressure on it and cause any damage, god forbid I do that and have to send it in to Minelab for repairs!

 

[GateKeeper]

Yes, it does seem that the shaft tends to get hung up. You need to clean the dirt and sand from the shaft so that this doesn't happen. Wash with some warm water and dry. What I did was spray the shaft with some silicone spray. Move the shaft in and out so that silicone is inside shaft as well and let dry. Once dry, apply another coat of silicone spray. No more problems with shaft hanging up.

 

[chuckciao]

Seems like the KEY STOP on the lower shaft is hanging up. Refer to the small booklet that came with the CTX (p.3).

 

[GKMan]

I think it needs to be rotated 90 degrees to remove

 

[C&RHunter]

To remove the lower shaft from the CTX. 1) Unlock the cam lock. 2) Push the shaft all the way in. 3) Disconnect the coil cable from the CTX. 4) Holding the machine with the shaft collapsed and the coil "still in the hunting position", rotate the shaft I/4 turn clockwise. 5) Slide the shaft down and out of the upper shaft. NOTE: Some "jiggling" may be needed when sliding out the lower shaft, if there is any grit up between the shafts.

 

[Altamaha]

Thanks to all of you for your responses/help. I tried the method suggested in the manual, but it still hung. Tried Gatekeeper's suggestion (cleaning/silicone), problem fixed. Thanks again all!

 

[DukeOBass]

Yes. I can't get mine out either. It's yet another thing in the long line of quirks and frustration with this thing.

 

[Rick(ND)]

The First time I tried to remove my lower shaft I had the same problem as it seem to hang up at the very end of the shaft and found out that the shaft has to be turned when it is collapsed and will slide right out. Putting it together it also has to be turned to fit it together and when it is in all the way you have to turn it so the coil is straight with the control box and it will slide right into position.
Had mine apart several times to change coil, push shaft in all the way and disconnect the cable and turn shaft 90 degree and pull it out, when putting it in it goes in it is turned 90 degrees and when fully in and cable is conncted I turn it to the correct postion and pull the shaft out to the correct position for me.

 

[Welwood470]

I had the same problem when I first got my CTX about a year ago.....quite by accident I stumbled onto the method as
described by C&R and Rick.. Haven't had a problem since.

 

[erick byrne]

We use a food grade silicon lubricate spray at my manufacturing plant. I brought a can home and sprayed my lower shaft (after a robust cleaning) with it. Let it dry and then I applied another coat. It is non-greasy so it doesn't attract dirt or sand. You should be able to find it at any hardware store.

 

[beachdude]

I hunt in the water with my CTX and find a quick blast of silicone spray before you assemble the shaft makes for easier de-assembly.

 

[jas415]

CR hunter is right about actual removal of the shaft, but if you are just talking about sliding it in and out to adjust the length, I find the easy way for me, is to simply stand the machine vertically, with the coil flat on the ground release the latch, and slide it down. To extend it I just put the coil on the ground vertically, place a toe on the coil and gently pull up. Gently is the key!!