How to Fix a Squeaky Brew Lever

Lifting brew lever on the LUCCA M58 espresso machine with LUCCA Atom 75 espresso grinder
☕ Quick Take

A squeaky or sticky E61 brew lever is usually caused by oil being stripped away during backflushing; fix it by removing, lubricating, and reinstalling the cam shaft.

  • Excessive backflushing with detergent strips protective oils from the brew lever mechanism, causing squeaking and sticking
  • Backflush with detergent only every six weeks to prevent premature wear on lever components
  • Fix requires food-safe lubricant (Molykote Dow-111), adjustable wrench, and flathead screwdriver to access and lubricate the cam shaft

Does your brew lever feel sticky when you lift it? Does it catch, squeak, or just not work as smoothly as it once did? That's very common and it's a relatively easy fix! This happens over time or with excessive backflushing. The detergent can strip the lever of oil and cause this happen. When making espresso at home, you should only backflush with detergent about every six weeks. For instructions on how to clean your espresso machine, read our blog: How to Backflush and Clean Your Espresso Machine.

Tools Needed:

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Food safe lubricant. We recommend Molykote Dow-111

How to Fix a Squeaky/Sticky Brew Lever:

  1. Remove the E61 lever by taking out the flathead nut at the end of the lever.
  2. Use the adjustable wrench to remove the inner portion of the lever and cam shaft.
  3. Lubricate the cam head with food-safe lubricant and reinstall into the group head. If you're having trouble getting the cam to fit back in, see the next step for a tip on easier installation.
  4. If you're having a hard time reinstalling the cam, you can create an easier space by unthreading the bottom part of the e61. This will drop out the lower valve, making it much easier to install the cam first. After the cam is securely in place, you can reinstall the bottom part of the e61 with ease.

For more instructions and pictures, visit our knowledge base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my espresso machine's brew lever squeak or stick?

The brew lever becomes squeaky or sticky when the protective oil on the cam shaft is stripped away, typically from over-backflushing with detergent. This is especially common on E61 group head machines. The fix involves removing the lever assembly, applying food-safe lubricant to the cam head, and reinstalling it.

How often should I backflush my espresso machine with detergent?

You should only backflush with detergent about every six weeks for home use. Backflushing too frequently can strip essential oils from internal components like the brew lever mechanism, leading to squeaking, sticking, and premature wear. Regular water-only backflushing between deep cleans is sufficient for daily maintenance.

What lubricant is safe to use on espresso machine brew levers?

Use only food-safe lubricants like Molykote Dow-111 on espresso machine components that contact coffee or water pathways. This NSF-approved lubricant is specifically designed for food processing equipment and won't contaminate your espresso. Never use petroleum-based lubricants or WD-40 on espresso machine internal parts.

How do I remove an E61 brew lever for maintenance?

First, remove the flathead nut at the end of the lever using a screwdriver. Then use an adjustable wrench to unscrew and remove the inner portion of the lever and cam shaft. If reinstallation is difficult, you can unthread the bottom part of the E61 group to drop out the lower valve, creating easier access for cam installation.