Remove shutter dial on Mamiya 7ii?

[JayC]

My exposure compensation "dial" is hard to move. It catches and I have to do odd maneuvers with my hands to get a good angle to move the compensation sometimes. I feel like I could break it with as much pressure as I am putting on it, and I am getting a deep indent in my finger from the little button! I had another 7ii a few years ago and it was very easy to move the compensation from -2 to +2 and back again, so I know how it should be.
Can I just remove the little black thing with the 2 holes for a spanner wrench and the entire shutter dial will come off so that I can investigate/clean? I don't want to open a can of worms and have parts spring out on me. I just want to try and save $60 or so to take it into a shop.
Thanks.

 

[JayC]

Well, in case anyone was wondering, I went ahead and removed the retaining ring. But, it only holds in the little button to move the dial off of AE/AEL. There appears to be another retaining ring, but my makeshift tool of an electrical staple didn't seem like the best choice anymore. So I put it back together without fixing anything. I am surprised no one has offered me any help on this matter.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I got out my Mamiya 7 since I had never used the exposure compensation in the six years I have owned it. My EC lever moves very easily once I learned that you have to push in that button to unlock it.

At the risk of insulting your intelligence, are you sure you are remembering to push in that button that unlocks it? It appears to put tension on it.

It is noteworthy that my Mamiya 7 has never needed any service since I bought it used. It has been beat and banged around quite a bit but even the RF is still in perfect alignment.

 

[JayC]

Thanks, Bob. I have a 7 and it is as you describe. My 7 version 2 has a combo button/knob that uses just one button to release and move the dial.