BEARING & SPRING REPLACEMENT 

Detailed instructions for replacing bearings & springs on TransTrem & S-Trem bridges

BRIDGE DISASSEMBLY
1.   Unlock the bridge so the trem is floating freely.
2.   Remove the tremolo arm and knurled locking nut from the bridge by rotating it counterclockwise until is is fully unthreaded from the trem arm post.  On some models the transposing arm may hit against the last control knob when unloosening the arm.  Use a thick, folded cloth or towel to protect the pot/knob from damage.
3.   Loosen the spring tension knob completely by unscrewing it counterclockwise until fully stopped.
4.   Remove all strings from the trem.  There should be enough slack that you can simply pull the ball ends out of the jaws. If not you may need to loosen them a bit further with the tuning knobs.
5.   Use an allen/hex head wrench to fully loosen the saddle set screw.  This screw is located on the side the bridge, opposite the volume/tone controls.
6.   Carefully lift all of the saddles out of bridge.  Be sure to document (that means write this stuff down!) their location and orientation for reassembly.
7.   Remove the bridge attachment screws.  These are found under where the saddles were previously situated.  Depending on your guitar model these may be Phillips head fillister wood screws or hex head socket cap screws.
8.   Lift the trem out of the body route. Turn the bridge over so that the spring is now visible and place it on your work surface.
9.   Using a screwdriver or preferably needle nose pliers remove the spring from the lock .  This lock is located on the opposite side from the spring tension knob.  To remove the spring force it towards the back of the bridge and then lift it out of the housing.
10.   Remove the screws securing the sides of the pivot/jaw/tuner block assembly to the base block.  There are 3 hex/allen head socket cap screws on each side.
11.   Lift the bridge base block off of the pivot block and sides
12.   Now firmly hold the pivot assembly and two sides together so they don't fall apart.  Proceed to turn over the entire assembly so the top of the trem is visible again.
13.   Each bridge side acts as a mount for a bearing & pin assembly.  You may notice the pins and see the one side of the bearing.  Doing one side at a time, carefully pull the sides away from the pivot block to access the bearings.  Also note that each side potentially has one or more washers.  If you find any be careful to document the number, size and location of any washers for reassembly.

**NOTE**
Most times the bearing pin will pop out from the pivot block and the bearing will stay "stuck" in the side, especially with older bearings.  Other times the pin will stay inserted in the pivot and the bearing will slide out of the side (and now be fully visible).  In either case use pliers to gently ply the assembly out of whichever part it is still engaged.  Just be careful and patient.  That way you won't damage any bridge housing hardware, the bearing or pin holes or the pin itself.

Also inside the bearing holes on each side there may be additional washers.  These sit behind the bearings themselves, and are designed to lift & orient the bearing to its proper height for correct rotation.  Be careful when removing the bearing(s) so you don't lose these washers - they can easily roll around and/or fall on the floor!  We recommend also documenting the number and position of these spacing washers as well.  Failure to do so could result in reassembly errors as the bearings will ride too deep.  Improper operation and potential damage can then occur.

BEARING/PIN REMOVAL & INSERTION
Specific instructions soon

SPRING INSTALLATION
Specific instructions soon

REASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Though generally the reverse of the disassembly instructions we'll outline these steps soon.

We welcome anyone to submit clear, detailed digital photos of the above steps to be included in these instructions.  If you wish to help us please contact us at andy@steinbergerworld.com