35-70 f4 reassembly issue

A while ago I asked about macro lenses and someone suggested removing the front element from a minolta 36-70 f4. A Friend sent me one that was squeaking and grinding, and I pulled it apart. Once I started it became clear that it had been inartfully dis and re assembled before... looks like tbe noise may have been from metal shards from interior screws that had been stripped. For s&gs I disassembled the whole thing, thinking it done for. I actually managed to get it back together until...

When disassembling I had trouble with the iris actuator lever. I ended up disassembling around it. Now, I'm at the point I should be putting it back in, but I can't get the slot in the actuator lever onto the peg thst controls the iris-the same issue I had taking it apart in reverse. what is the trick to this? the lever just seems too... thick to fit between the peg on thr actuator and the "wall" of the lens. I tried loosening and even unscrewing the actuator, but no dice... it didn't fit. Anyone know of a video diy or have any ideas?

thanks. I knew about that site. I've been looking at the pictures, but I still can't figure how to get the actuator lever in there.

Hi,

If we're talking about the same parts, it's in the process of attaching the rear end section of the lens where the lever with the long slot needs to grasp the iris actuator coming out of the compound lens group.

First, if you haven't done it, adjust the zoom in order to move the lens group with the iris actuator to the rearmost position in the zoom assembly. After doing this, it might take a few attempts to get the actuator slot over the iris pin but it shouldn't be too hard.

Did I understood you right? If not, please show some pictures and I should be able to help you. I've cleaned the irises of about +20 35-70/4's as about 70% of all the units I've been received have been suffering from oily irises.

I suggest that you check yours for oily blades as well, before re-assembling it.