I have a set of the B&D air retracts (tri-gear). They work well for the most part, but I can't tighten up on one of the set screws. It's the screw that holds the strut into the base of the plastic housing. If I over tighten, the retract on that side won't come down. The allen screw does not go all the way through as far as I can tell, so I am guessing that it is deforming the plastic just enough to pinch the gear. It's a little annoying because the strut keeps turning because I can't tighten down on the screw. Any ideas?

usuall if you have a flat spot cut into the wire where the screw contacts it and then tighten the screw till it is tight against the wire that sould stop the twisting without having to overtighten.the flat may have to go down about 1/32 to 1/16 of an inch.it should look like a notch

I have started using these retracts again and am having the same problem with the gear on one side pinching. Any thoughts on what is causing this?

Did you grind a flat like sbd-5 suggested?

yes, I filed a flat spot, but that is not the problem. The problem is when I go to retract the gear, only one goes up. The other one doesn't go unless I loosen the set screw that holds pressure on the flat spot of the strut

Can you post a picture of this thing?

I don't think you'll be able to see the screw in a pic. It's too small. Basically the set screw is at 90 degrees to the strut and you tighten with an allen wrench. I know you like pics, so let me see if i can snap one anyway

Here's a pic of the retract. You can see the small set screw at the base of the strut