Recurve String groove click

[RonN]

I reciently purchased a used Horne TD Mountain recurve, and I noticed that when I pull it to full draw, and then let it down, that the bottom string groove will click when the string settles back down. I have restrung the bow a couple of time, and I still get the same click.
My question is; Is this something to be concerned with, or is it just something common on recurves?
Thanks.

[LostNation_Larry]

Watch it happen.  Often times a click like that happens when the limb is twisted and the string snaps into the groove.  If this is the case, look at straightening the limb.

If the previous owner used the step through method instead of a bow stringer, this is probably where it all started.   Hopefully you are using a stringer.

[RonN]

Sometimes, if I let the bow down real easy, I can see that the lower string sits just a hair to the right of the groove...then, it will pop into the groove.
Is there something that I can do, to correct this misalignment?

[Plumber]

If you have recently waxed the string it will also make a noise.It has a tendency to tack up an it can make a sound like a click.

[Bryan Korte]

X2 what Plumber said. I've had that happen before too.

[RonN]

Thanks Plumber..
Yep, when I got the bow, I waxed up the string real good... So, I will wipe the string and limb groove down and clean it up a little.. and give it another try
Thanks again.

[Homebru]

I used to put some adhesive felt or moleskin on my recurve string groove to avoid sticky wax.  Now, I don't have a recurve so don't have the problem.
homebru

[Plumber]

noproblem. I got  worried when it happen to my silvertip.it will go away.

[nineworlds9]

I have noticed this same issue and I once experimented and found if I twisted the bow string the opposite direction to put required twists in it solved the problem.  It can happen if one string groove isn't perfectly centered or if a limb has a slight twist.  Silly thing is it is usually something you will only notice on a draw and let down.  When actually shooting it won't affect anything and noise won't be any louder.

[JB]

Sometimes I will torque the grip letting down on some recurves and cause this to happen

[RonN]

I cleaned off the string and limb groove, but the click is still there.. I lowered the brace height from 8" down to 7 3/4", but the click is still there....
I measured the limb groove, and it seems to be cut to center of the limb, so I guessing that there is a little twist in the lower limb..
Maybe it is like nineworlds9 said, "...when actually shooting it won't affect anything..."

Thanks for all the suggestions

[RonN]

Would I be completely silly, if I was to take a small chain saw file and widen the limb string groove.. Or should I just put it back up on the bow rack and forget about that annoying click?

[macbow]

If the limb is slightly twisted like that just twist the limb in the direction it needs to go till you teach it  to stay straight.

Twist limb pull several times and twist again till it stays.

[JimB]

But do not touch the string groove!

[Archie]

Are you torquing the bow when you draw, with your drawing hand?  That may be causing it.  What's your draw weight on that bow?  That can happen more easily on lighter bows.  What would be happening is, your firm grip on the bow is holding the bow stiff while the drawing hand is twisting the string, and since you're letting it down instead of releasing it (to shoot), the string is laying crooked in the limb groove.

Try leaving your bow hand open (i.e., don't grip it) when letting down and see if you have the same problem.  This should keep you from torquing just the string but not the bow.

[Orion]

Lost Nation had it right in the beginning.  You have a twisted limb.  Just bend it in the opposite direction,  Check it and do again as needed.

[RonN]

The click seems to be gone...
I took the bow completely down into 3 pieces. I looked at the pins and bolts.. they looked OK, and when I put the bow back together, the click at the string groove was gone.....
I don't know why.

[LostNation_Larry]

Look very carefully at that lower limb, especially when it is strung.  If I were a betting man I would bet money a previous owner did not use a stringer but used the step through method.  Twisted limbs are common but most can be fixed.  You can do it cold as was recommended or you could apply hot tap water.  Search for old threads on limb straightening.

[Orion]

Click might have been caused by a wax or some other sticky build up between the limb and riser limb pad.  Regardless, if the string doesn't track exactly into the groove when you let it down from a full draw, the limb is twisted. Easy to fix as lost Nation points out. Good luck.

[joe vt]

If the click comes back I agree with a very slight limb twist.


I had the same thing occur on a original Bear 59 Kodiak. I was able to correct it while it was still strung. I just twisted the limb the opposite direction to correct it. It took a few tries. I would twist it, shoot an arrow and check...repeat until gone. It never came back.

Always use a stringer!

BTW, Horne Archery makes a great bow! I love my Combo Hunter with longbow limbs!!