Stuck squeezer - promise not to laugh

My alligator squeezer is stuck:



The various tape pieces are there just in case it suddenly decides to let go and after the picture was taken, I have supported with foam and towel.

It always been slow to retract, but now it is completely locked in.
I can hear the mechanism (piston ?) engage and disengage, but the jaws are stuck. The manual contains exploded view and part list, but I have none disassembly instructions available.

Anyone got an idea how to get to to disengage ?

Can't see the picture, just a circle with a minus sign in it ...

tomkk said:

Can't see the picture, just a circle with a minus sign in it ...

Click to expand...

Looks like the photo links are a little hit and miss.

I think I fixed it.

Sorry, I have been thinking of all kinds of jokes.

I'm just going to take a guess here, but looking at the parts diagram, it is likely there are two issues, the piston ring is stiff and not sliding freely, but mainly the wedge that spreads the backside of the jaws is dry and stuck.

It also appears that the backside of the piston is accessible by removal of that back plate that contains the air valves. I might just remove the back, and see if wiggling the rod nut can free the wedge. Then lube the wedge with some grease with EP additive (high moly content) and replace the piston seal.

Worst case is the nut comes off and you have to make a coupler to extend the rod and pull it out from the back using a bar against the case and tightening a nut on the rod. That is sure to work.

Good luck

Stuck squeezer - Update

I managed to get it unstuck by first sliding it off the rivet (smearing it in the process) and removing the main bolt. I am going to send it off for re-build.