Broken clock

[Rgarner]

Surprise, it fell off the wall when the door was slammed. I know it's a cheap Sterling and Noble from walmart, but how did the hands fall off the face? At least they're held on by the plastic cover. Can it be repaired?

 

[PitCarver]

When the hands of a Sterling & Noble clock fall off, loose, or drop to the 6 o'clock position, it is usually because the friction-fit tension has slipped. Because these clocks use simple quartz movements, the hands are just pressed onto a central pin and can loosen over time or during battery changes.
You can usually fix this yourself in a few minutes without buying new parts.

️ Step-by-Step Repair Guide

1. Open the Clock Case

• Remove the battery before starting to avoid damaging the motor gears.
• Locate the screws on the back cover of the clock frame.
• Use a small Phillips-head screwdriver to remove them and carefully lift off the front glass or plastic lens.

2. Check for Damage

• Examine the hour, minute, and second hands.
• Ensure they are not bent or warped. If they are slightly bent and hitting each other, gently straighten them with your fingers so they can pass each other cleanly.

3. Reset and Tighten the Hands
Quartz clock hands must be pressed onto the center post in a specific order: Hour hand first, then Minute hand, then Second hand.

1. Align to 12:00: Slide the hour hand onto the widest part of the center shaft and point it exactly at the 12. Press firmly near the center hole (not the tip) until it sits tight.
2. Add the Minute Hand: Press the minute hand onto the next tier of the shaft, also pointing exactly at the 12.
3. Secure the Cap/Second Hand: If your clock has a second hand, press it onto the tiny pin in the very center. If it doesn't have a second hand, there will be a small cap nut—screw or press this nut back on tightly to lock the minute and hour hands down.

4. Test the Clearance

• Spin the manual adjustment wheel on the back of the movement box to watch the hands go through a full 12-hour cycle.
  
  
  
• Verify that the hands remain perfectly parallel to the clock face and do not touch each other or the background.
• Reassemble the glass lens, screw the case back together, and reinsert the battery.

---

 

[Rgarner]

I guess the screws are hiding in those two bulges to the side. The battery compartment is evidently detachable, as these photos show. I'm not sure why there is a little wheel/dial on it, probably to change the time setting.

 

[Rgarner]

I found the number on the back and called them. It sounds as if the clock can't be fixed. It's from walmart and I sure don't want any more of their junk.

 

[ozonetrooper]

Just push the arms/hands back onto the spindle ...

 

[olbriar]

I doubt any clock could take a fall from wall to floor without negative consequences.

 

[Fox Mulder]

You get what you pay for although agree that even a more expensive one would probably be trashed by that fall.

If you glue the hands in place it will still be right twice a day-

 

[Rgarner]

How do I remove the cover? If there are screws holding it in place they are probably recessed in those bumps to the sides on the back of it. I don't see a way to remove the front otherwise.

 

[olbriar]

You might do a google search. That's what anyone trying to help you would have to do. Without knowing, I would guess that it was constructed front to back. Removing the back that is likely attached to the works, and then the clock works if not, would access the face of the clock once out of the case and front panel. ...strictly a guess.

I have a 24 hour analog wall clock made by Howard & Miller. It is battery operated and wasn't a major expense. My wall clock is constructed from front to back. First a surround. Then a lens was snapped into place. Then the works were positioned into the surround and simply snapped into place. I only suspect they all are constructed in a similar fashion.

I did a google search for my clock. It was made in the USA. That indicates that I've owned it for years. They are still making clocks but the 24 hour format was discontinued a number of years ago.

 

[Rgarner]

Here are some shots from the front and side. Maybe they'll help. I'm pretty sure I could fix it if only I could open it somehow.

 

[olbriar]

I see no obvious access to the face of the clock. Have you tried calling the 1-800 number on the back of the clock for assistance?

 

[Rgarner]

Yes I did. She was asking about a way to open it, screws whatever. I told her pretty much what I've told you. She concluded that there was no way to do that.

 

[olbriar]

I'm not surprised. If it was a snapped together model, look around the perimeter where the back meets the outside surround. There might be some release points that a small screwdriver might release.