Crossword Genius

Altered damaged mechanism (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

treadle

'mechanism' is the definition.

'altered damaged' is the wordplay.
'damaged' is an anagram indicator.
'altered' anagrammed gives 'TREADLE'.

(Other definitions for treadle that I've seen before include "requires footwork" , "Foot lever giving power" , "Foot-operated lever" , "operate a spinning-wheel" , "Foot lever that works a machine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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