Dear all,

I have a vibiemme junior double boiler machine (e61 manual lever grouphead). When I pull an espresso, or use a blind basket, my lever drops ever so slightly from the upright position - perhaps 1 degree. This has only started happening recently as far as I can recall. So far this drop has had no noticable effect on extraction.

I've had the machine for about 1 1/2 years. I backflush with cleaner about once a month. I make about 4 espressos per day. I have not lubricated the cam assembly because the roughness from backflushing has always gone away after making a few coffees.

Anyway, I suspect that the cam followers or cam are starting to wear. Once i acquire the right tools I will confirm this. I live in South Korea and I'll probably be able to get replacement parts from my dealer, but I'm not sure. I'll be in America in the winter, and was wondering if there are any good online shops from which to order these parts.

See Topic 19 in the "How-To" section of Randy G's site: http://www.espressomyespresso.com/ .

The VBM followers have slightly different dimensions than the "standard" E-61 so be sure to obtain parts specific for the VBM group. The best place to find those correct parts is here: http://espressocare.com/

The slight movement of the lever when pressure increases near the brew point is normal and nothing to worry about. If you look closely, it is also possible for the shaft's bushing to move outward a bit under pressure.

1st -line in the East, and espressocare.com in the West will have the proper parts.

Cheers Eric and Randy,

I imagined Stefano's shop would be my port of call, but couldn't find the cam followers listed. Special order I suppose. Very good to know, also, that opperation is still within typical parameters.