Nikon 35-70mm 2.8D Repair

[mysh]

I wanted to check and see if anyone here has ever taken apart the Nikon 35-70mm 2.8D push pull.  I have taken apart quite a few manual focus nikon lenses but I try to stay away from AF lenses.

The only reason I am thinking of doing it is because the fix I want to do could be very easy. I have 2 of these lenses. One of them has is near mint but has a chip in the front element, and the other is beat up but has a perfect front element. I just want to swap the front glass.

Looking at it it seems like it might be as simple as taking off one of the black rings around the glass. I have the proper tools to do this but wanted to check and see if anyone has ever messed with it. The last time I took a part off a AF lens things immediately started flying out of the lens.

[Steven Simpkins]

The front element is easy as long as you have a spanner wrench. Also the ring has a thread locker on it. I used either isopropyl or some other solvent to loosen (PB Blaster - tiny amount) and I can't remember which worked. Once the ring is spun out, the front element is easily removed.

Are you keeping the beater?

[richardHaw]

maybe I should make a repair article for this one of these days 

[richardHaw]

http://blog.garaku.cc/2010/10/08_2033/6948.php

http://cadillac1958.at.webry.info/200910/article_11.html

here are some Japanese sites. Use Chrome to translate 

[Erik Lund]

http://allphotolenses.com/public/files/pdfs/3dceeb716b139cd7a5dda7e87f4ec6fe.pdf

Exploded view 
And this one:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/buddymcbride/sets/72157639948585995/

[mysh]

thanks everyone for the comments. If I understand correctly I just need to use my spanner wrench to unscrew the smaller front ring to remove the front element.

The beater has issues. Its more for parts than a working version. Not sure what the issue is but it would need work. I would get rid of it if someone wanted to mess with the lens.

[richardHaw]

did you check the image quality? there are times when a swap will not work 

[Wannabebetter]

thanks everyone for the comments. If I understand correctly I just need to use my spanner wrench to unscrew the smaller front ring to remove the front element.

The beater has issues. Its more for parts than a working version. Not sure what the issue is but it would need work. I would get rid of it if someone wanted to mess with the lens.

I would appreciate very much an opportunity "to mess" with that venerable lens.