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Akai gx-747 tensioner teardown.....

boatdrinks77

boatdrinks77

Well-Known Member
Since I haven't found anything on the AKAI tensioners disassembly/reassembly I figure I'd post this. The AKAI GX-747 I just got had gunked up tensioners that wouldn't spring back to "home" position which tells the deck that no tape is present.....

Here are some pics:

I left these gears on because they spun freely and were very clean..... the microswitch on your left is the "home" sensor, the one on your right is the load position sensor....



These are the rest of the parts cleaned up.....



This is how it goes back together........











Really Simple !!!! now the tension arm motor will move the tension arm effortlessly ......

Just thought I would share, hope this helps someone out !!! Dan :music:
 
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I >>SO<< need this! Thanks :thmbsp::thmbsp: I have a 636 that needs attention and will now fear not!

I might throw you a question or "2"...

MANY THANKS :ntwrthy:
 
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What severe mis-alignment?

Did you take the tensioners apart? If so, did you replace the shims and turn the tilt adjustment nut to a position where the tensioner assembly is running perfectly straight?

I have found the easiest way to do this is to FF and REW the tape while holding the guide post out of the way and then adjust the nut until the tape runs in the center of the roller by itself. Repeat on the other side.
 
Tinman said:
What severe mis-alignment?
I have found the easiest way to do this is to FF and REW the tape while holding the guide post out of the way and then adjust the nut until the tape runs in the center of the roller by itself. Repeat on the other side.
Click to expand...

Hmm, haven't tried that method. I run the deck at 7 1/2ips and adjust the nut on the roller near the take-up reel until it runs in the center. I repeat for the other side after reversing direction of the tape.
 
Tinman said:
What severe mis-alignment?

Did you take the tensioners apart? If so, did you replace the shims and turn the tilt adjustment nut to a position where the tensioner assembly is running perfectly straight?

I have found the easiest way to do this is to FF and REW the tape while holding the guide post out of the way and then adjust the nut until the tape runs in the center of the roller by itself. Repeat on the other side.
Click to expand...

Still at the stage where I'm NOT going to 'just bend it back' !!
 
ok, I made an incorrect assumption though you did write "a "SEVERE" alignment issue w/the guide post." In my opinion, a severe alignment issue would cause tape damage.
 
rlovison said:
ok, I made an incorrect assumption though you did write "a "SEVERE" alignment issue w/the guide post." In my opinion, a severe alignment issue would cause tape damage.
Click to expand...

I arranged a path where the guides are not in the equation... AND I get a very smooth, even, centered tape pack.:thmbsp: Forget about A/R tho:sigh:
and stop. :no:
 
eddisc said:
I arranged a path where the guides are not in the equation... AND I get a very smooth, even, centered tape pack.:thmbsp: Forget about A/R tho:sigh:
and stop. :no:
Click to expand...

That means that you got the tensioner assemblies nice and parrallel with the tape path, as they should be.

The metal that the guides attach to is softer, so if you are gentle they should bend back. Just go slowly. May be possible that the screw itself is bent that holds the whole thing together, in which case you could just replace those. But you would have to take the whole tensioner apart again.

I bend guides straight all the time and have never snapped one. Just gently keep at it.

Worst case, the aluminum disk is warped and you need to tap it flat again using a flat surface and a drift.
 
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