Hi, I just recently purchesed a Special model of the Crown with the Xenar lens. After exploring the controls a bit I did something when sliding the lens part of the camera that caused a bunch of little BB's and strange silver sections fall out of the camera with a metal post as well. I collected them all and was wondering what they are? The back rails also seemed to come out of the flange that held it to the bottom of the camera.

Is this something that I can repair myself? Is it important?

I hate to put any more $$ into this camera, but what would I expect to spend on a CLA for this item? An who would I send it to?

thx

If you look on the right (handle) side of the camera inside the body you'll find a tube that runs down to the rails and up to the rangefinder. Cables weren't responsive enough so Graflex used the ball and cylinders to transfer motion to the RF.

It's best if you go to South Bristol News (do a search on the helpboard) and download the repair manual. I hope you have every one of them as just one missing is as bad as all of them in terms of function.

Some where before they fell there should have been a chrome pin and a plastic cap that fell off. This is what pushes against a stop on the rails.

Those will be the "balls" & "spacers" that go inside a tube on the right inside of the case as you look at the lens/bellows that via a cam operates the rangefinder. A pdf version of the Top Rangefinder Crown/Speed Graphic service manual is available at http://www.southbristolviews.com/
graphic manuals in left colum.
This old thread may be of help http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?topic=237&forum=1&3