How to Fix a Squeaky Brew Lever

For more knowledge on all things espresso, check out our blog: clivecoffee.co...
Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.co...
Instagram: / clivecoffee
Twitter: / clivecoffee
Facebook: / clivecoffeepdx
Pinterest: / clivecoffee

[@tier30]

Clear, concise, understandable. EXCELLENT. Thank you!

[@MaxSprecher]

That was an easy fix on my ECM Mechanika slim. The squeaking was driving me nuts. At the same time I re-lubed the steam valve as that one also had a squeaking noise. Thanks!

[@neighbortim]

I've done this a few times, but I haven't tried removing the pre-infusion chamber. That looks easier than what I've been doing (forcing the cam back in place against the two springs). Next time I'll definitely try this!

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Yeah I had a lot of trouble putting things back together but I found taking the top part off and out (alternatively to the bottom) allowed me to get the lever part back into position and from there it was easy to drop the top part back in.

[@JustNel]

You don’t have to force it.. put it with the cam facing your direction and screw it in. I just did this on Saturday and got it in both times without issues.. Did it twice to add more lube

[@holly4221]

Thank you for this video on how to maintain the group lever. Mine gets sticky so this will be a great quick fix to do in between the more major maintenances. Much appreciated!

[@benindahl9233]

Appreciated! Easy, done in 10 minutes, thanks again!

[@clivecoffee]

Amazing!

[@Libba089]

Who the hell is disliking this video? This is one of the best instructional videos ive seen

[@clivecoffee]

thank you!

[@aaronkub]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@clivecoffee]

Glad that it helped. Cheers.

[@Peterdeskater100]

My machine lever was squeaky for a long time regardless of lubrication or oil buildup. It turned out to be the spring in the top chamber of the E61. I put dome lubrication there and it was working perfectly ever since. I did the while I was installing my needle valve.

[@clivecoffee]

yep! that works!

[@porshenn]

Thanks for the video! exactly what I was looking for :))

[@clivecoffee]

Our pleasure !

[@BigPoppa-t3z]

My machine is new and it's squeaky. I let the oils build up in the machine. Problem solved I cafiza every month about

[@clivecoffee]

Great job! That's completely normal.

[@JimmyLopezPortillo]

Is removing the pre infusion chamber necessary?

[@clivecoffee]

Yes.

[@harrychilders9982]

I had a squeak and followed this to a tee. However, the squeak was on the outside of the cam that pushes on the pump switch on. 30 second fix. My question is, in this area, does the molykote come in contact with the brewed espresso prosses?

[@clivecoffee]

No, it does not.

[@BeheadedKamikaze]

Would this process be similar for applying Molykote to the steam knob on a Profitec Pro 500?

[@clivecoffee]

Yes.

[@SpongeBobby-h2w]

I use detergent every 30-50 shots but I’m an at home user, so that’s about once a month. I backfkush with water every morning. Is that too much?

[@JustNel]

Back flush once a week/month depending on usage.. I use my machine at home every morning and back flush every month to 2..

[@clivecoffee]

backflushing with water every morning won't hurt your machine, but it's not really doing anything either.

[@SpongeBobby-h2w]

@@clivecoffee thanks for replying. I didn’t know if the water back flush was helping it stay clean in between detergent ones. I do see some grinds come out. Thanks again

[@manish4777]

Hi i just got appartamento tca a month ago. I used cleaning tablets just once. Nut i do back flushing with water everytime before turning my machine off. Means after ever session . Its 2-3 times daily. I feel my machine lever is bit hard now. What could be the issue.? If i am doing more water back flushing. Though rocket says water back flushing once a day

[@clivecoffee]

backflushing, especially with detergent, strips coffee oils and lubricants in the cam shaft. Maybe pull back on water backflushing every single day.

[@manish4777]

​@@clivecoffeeso as you mentioned in the video back flush with chemical once a month and back flush with water once a week if fine enough? Irrespective of rocket mentioning in their manual backflush with water every day and with tablets once every fortnight .

[@clivecoffee]

That works! @@manish4777

[@RealRhael]

It should be absolutely necessary to point out that food-grade grease must be used !!! People can get sick by using machine grade grease !!!

[@clivecoffee]

that's correct and it's exactly what we use in the video.

[@theovincken5939]

The video is good and very interesting but what I miss is that you don't show which grease you use. I bought Xavax OKS1110 to lubricate and at first the lever worked fantastic but after a few days it started squeaking again and moving heavily. That's why I'm trying to find a better grease but you don't say anything about it. It's too much work to do it twice a week so I hope that I find a better grease.

[@clivecoffee]

We use Molykote Dow 111.

[@BensCoffeeRants]

Do you backflush with detergent often? Like Cafiza type stuff? That will do it. I'd recommend doing that less often or using less detergent. I prolong the time I need to use that, by doing plain water backflushes and also using a puck screen which keeps the group a lot cleaner for longer!