Hi all,

Last year I purchased a used Vibiemme Domobar (the plain-jane pump-driven SBDU variety) and have been pulling terrific espresso from it. I don't think the previous user backflushed with detergent at all.

After a few detergent backflushes, I noticed that the lever would squeak when I push it to the off position until I pulled a shot or two. After some research I found this:
http://coffeetime.wikidot.com/e61-lubrication

After ordering and receiving the espresso lube, I took apart the lever section and lubed the cam head as indicated, and it's improved, but I can still feel that squeak. The cam head is a little rough from metal-on-metal friction; I can't tell if the pins have been worn down or not. (this is the head I'm talking about -- http://www.coffeehit.co.uk/lever-rod/p281 )

Should I attempt to polish the cam head? Or just buy new parts? If I buy new pins I assume I'll have to completely disassemble the whole grouphead.

Thanks for any advice!

That is normal. Squeaking after a chemical cleaning is normal. After a couple of shots the coffee oils will lubricate the cam and follower and the squeak will go away. No need to polish or do any other voodoo. Just pull some shots. If the group starts leaking, then you may need to replace a couple parts but until then, enjoy the espresso.

..and illustrated, full step-by-step instructions for lubing as well as complete overhaul of the E-61 are on my website in the "How-To" section....

I did lube the shaft as well; the squeak only occurs at the last tiny bit of the lever throw when I am shutting off the flow from the pump.

Thanks for the pointers Randy -- and eric, thanks for letting me know that the VBM parts are slightly different from stock E61 - I had been considering getting Faema replacement parts under the assumption that all E61 groupheads were identical

gegtik wrote:I did lube the shaft as well; the squeak only occurs at the last tiny bit of the lever throw when I am shutting off the flow from the pump.

If the squeak is right at the last 3 to 5 degrees of movement (that is, right at the end of travel when lowering the lever), the squeak is likely between the cam and the exhaust valve, or it is the exhaust valve's spring. This is assuming that the shaft is not the problem. The next related question, did you put a dab of grease on the END of the shaft at the cam-end of it, where the short stub of the lever's shaft fits into the machined hole inside the group?