AFS Nikkor 17-35/2.8 SWM polish

[MEPER]

Has anybody tried this repair as shown in this thread?
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4254070

I have the lens and it has started to "hunt" and also I can begin to hear the "squeaking" sound.
I had the lens at an official Nikon repair shop and asked for a repair offer. The offer was around 1200 Euro's which I think was a bit high so I refused. They wanted to replace the SWM and some electronics.
I am a bit disappointed that this SWM seems to have this kind of fault. Think it is a common problem for lenses that use same kind of SWM.

Is the above repair in the link an easy "DIY"?    …..or does skilled repair persons exists that does this job for a reasonable amount of money?

Apart from that the lens seems well made. The optical construction / performance may be a bit outdated by todays standard. But I like to keep my equipment in good condition :-) 

[Bent Hjarbo]

I have one that got the SWM replaced, som yeas ago (14), but is still working no sounds yet.
It is a common problem with that lens, that's why the sell at low prices
I just read that using is may actually help, as it may be the lubricants that get stiff.

[MEPER]

The sound is not that bad. But it hunts but finds focus quite fast. The hunting is more aggressive on Z50 than on D5200. Probably because Z50 has faster electronics.

[pluton]

Your selected Nikon repair service is overcharging, IMO.  My 8-year-old copy of the 17-35/2.8, in 2014, had a complete overhaul, including the SW motor, for ≈$450 at Nikon in Los Angeles.
Prices can't have gone up that much in 6 years?
I remember that DPR thread---didn't a later contributor state that they had performed the same repair (getting rid of the squeak noise) without using the liquid metal polish?

[MEPER]

It seems soap water also works. That is a bit easier to work with than metal polish.

In the offer I got then $450 is the cost of the SWM unit alone. A Mr-unit is also on the list. Then 3.5 hours of work and then 25% Danish tax :-)
Then we end at about $1400.

[Nasos Kosmas]

I did once repair my 35/1.8 dx tiny motor, it’s not the same I know but it’s the same principle
I disassembly the motor in parts and I clean up the electrical contacts with acetone and then it worked!
It’s the oxidation that causes the electrical pulses from the pc board to short circuit and not to flow through the motor so it’s not working this was the issue in my case
 

[rosko]

I had this lens for fews years.

It was squeaking only once when I started to focus and then no more during the session. after few days without use it, the same happened and so on.

I finally sold it on ebay as I made less interior images. I mentioned  this issue of course and the lens has gone sold quickly. The buyer didn't care about it and was very happy...

I loved this zoom.

[pluton]

I loved this zoom.

It's actually a decently good 20/21mm, 24mm, and 28mm lens, and an OK 17mm lens. Image quality, on mine anyway, is pretty rough at 35mm, however. I need to bring a separate 35mm prime to cover that focal length with confidence.

[MEPER]

I think when the lens was released it was Nikon's best 24/2.8 "prime lens" :-)
I used the lens as a "variable" 24/2.8 prime. It was better than the AF 24/2.8D and I also the AF 28/2.8D at that time......what I have read (never had this lens).
Probably the 17-35 was also at par with AF 20/2.8D? 

[bobfriedman]

yep.. having not less than three of these lenses, I always wondered what was up with them.. my current one is smooth.. but for how long?... at least I am keeping it moisture free.

[Jakov Minić]

i had mine repaired years ago. it was expensive, about 600 EUR. never squeaked since. i love this lens.
use it less nowadays because of the 20/1.8. i just zoom with my feet

[pluton]

I think when the lens was released it was Nikon's best 24/2.8 "prime lens" :-)
I used the lens as a "variable" 24/2.8 prime. It was better than the AF 24/2.8D and I also the AF 28/2.8D at that time......what I have read (never had this lens).
Probably the 17-35 was also at par with AF 20/2.8D?

I have often thought of mine as a "variable 24mm" because the lens' all-around performance is best at 22mm-24mm.  Based on experience with my Nikon D3 + the 20/2.8 AiS + this zoom at the time, it' rendering is comparable with, but different than, the AiS 20/2.8.