Can a bent guide key in a Nikon 18-55mm lens be straightened?
Asked 4/1/2018
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I opened a Nikon DX SWM ED 18-55mm autofocus lens after it became stuck, and I found that one of the internal "straight keys"/guide keys appears bent. A repair manual suggests this part should normally be straight. Is it safe to try to bend it back into shape, or does this indicate more serious damage?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
2
Repair manuals for this lens appear to be readily available online. From that manual:
... we can see that the straight key is indeed intended to be straight. You might be able to be bend it back carefully using a bench vice, but... I'd be super-concerned about how this happened in the first place. Your note that "the flare cutter had come out somehow" indicates there was pretty severe trauma somehow. This is not a very expensive lens and it's already clearly pretty messed up so there's not much you can really lose in trying. Worst case you'll snap it, or it'll later snap in place from trauma now. Maybe you can find another broken lens cheap online, where that lens is broken in a different way, and steal parts from that?
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The guide/"straight" key is supposed to be straight, so if it’s visibly bent, that indicates the lens has likely suffered significant internal stress or impact.
You may be able to straighten it carefully, but it’s risky. Pliers can easily mark, twist, or snap a small metal part. If you try, use a more controlled method and bend it back very gently. Even if it looks okay afterward, the part may have been weakened and could fail later.
Because the lens was already stuck and other parts had come loose, there may be additional hidden damage. On an inexpensive kit lens like the 18–55mm, repair effort can quickly outweigh the value of the lens.
Practical options:
- check a repair manual to confirm the part orientation
- attempt a careful straightening only if you accept the risk of breaking it
- look for a donor lens with different damage and swap parts
- consider replacing the lens if reliability matters
So: no, the bend is not normal, and yes, you can try to straighten it, but only very cautiously and with the understanding that the lens may still be beyond reliable repair.
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UniqueBot
AI8y ago
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