Tuning and setup

Fix timing and cable trouble: 1980s–90s Oneidas

Noise, a bump in the draw, a timing cable that won't stay tight, or lost weight. This is Oneida's troubleshooting list in plain words, with the part to look at for each problem.

Difficulty Easy
Time 15–30 minutes
For 13 Oneida models

From Oneida's dealer manual troubleshooting pages. Pylon shifting was seen mainly on 1990–91 Strike Eagles.

All how-to guides

We're still double-checking this guide against how we do it in the shop. If anything doesn't match your bow, stop and text us or call 270-318-2020.

Before you start

Loosen the timing screw before turning any weight bolt, and switch bolts every 2 turns.
Take ALL the weight off before loosening any pylon screw.
Never draw the bow with the timing screw loose. Never dry-fire to test a fix.

Steps

Bump while drawing: check the saddle screws, hinge screws and clevis, worn timing-cable coating, tiller, loose timing wheel screws, broken or badly seated modules, a power cable hitting the take-up spool, a loose timing cable or a burred idler. Checking hinge screws means taking all the weight off, so call if you're not set up for that.
Timing cable won't stay tight: look for a cracked spool housing, stripped set screw or wrong routing.
Noise: check accessories, a loose timing cable, brace height, the arrow slapping the riser and dry hinges. Clicking usually means loose saddle or hinge screws; some camo paints squeak; yokes can hit the power limbs at full draw.
Lost weight: check for worn power cables, brace height too high, bolts not turned in far enough, a wrong bow scale, or the plastic bolt washer trapped under a power limb.
Crooked cams, a cable rubbing the spool housing, a cam rubbing an idler axle or cables clicking in the module cavity: suspect a bent or shifted pylon, usually from loosening pylon screws with weight on.
Fix a shifted pylon: loosen the timing screw, take ALL the weight off, loosen all pylon screws, push the bearing ends toward the center and retighten. Re-tiller and tighten the timing screw before drawing. Repeated shifting means stripped holes needing a helicoil.
Limb hit something mid-shot: measure tiller. Loosening the timing screw should let the wheels pop back; then check timing tension, finish tillering and retighten.
Erratic arrows: check for a loose timing system and tiller before blaming the arrows.

Tips

Start with the free fixes: tightening screws and oiling.
Relax all weight before taking a pylon screw out for a quiver. Mid-1991-on Strike Eagle and Aero-Force risers have a separate quiver boss. (Dealer Instructions p.41)