Corktowner
Active Member
As part of a rebuild of a JVC A-X9 that was in awful shape, I rebuilt the ALPS Black Beauty volume control. I found one other good thread from a few years ago on this, but it was missing two key details. I’m not completely sure on the etiquette of zombie threads, so I thought I’d make a new one.
Here’s the unit with the cover off. If anyone has ever taken one of these apart, the first big barrier is the star lock washer. I couldn’t find how people were removing these, and after much (gentle) prying, I decided that it would have to be cut off and replaced. So I got the Dremel out and with the cut off wheel I carefully proceeded and got the washer off.
After removing the washer the rest was fairly standard. However, the white discs which hold the contacts were firmly attached to the shaft. I bent the contacts of the first one I pulled off, and had to gently bend them back into place. I used my magnifying specs and a sheet rock blade to do this. Took some time but it wasn’t bad.
Here are the pre cleaning photos. You can see the debris from the cutting on one of the layers.
After cleaning with alcohol and contact cleaner. I honestly wasn’t sure what else to use, but they seemed to work find. Also, you can see from the qtips how dirty this unit was.
I live in downtown Detroit, and I went to a local nut and bolt supply shop (which was still open) looking for the lock washer. For those who may do this themselves, what you need is an M3 internal tooth star lock washer. The shaft size is 2.6mm. Since this is still Detroit, my shop didn’t have anything that small in metric in house. I did find a clip at a local auto parts store, though, and it fit the shaft. I didn’t replace the rubber washer. I’m not sure what it is for, exactly, so if anyone knows please share.
The ALPS is back assembled and loosely hooked up to the A-X9 while I do some final shakedowns. Full rebuild thread coming soon on that, I hope. All is working well, though. Thanks for taking the time!
Here’s the unit with the cover off. If anyone has ever taken one of these apart, the first big barrier is the star lock washer. I couldn’t find how people were removing these, and after much (gentle) prying, I decided that it would have to be cut off and replaced. So I got the Dremel out and with the cut off wheel I carefully proceeded and got the washer off.
After removing the washer the rest was fairly standard. However, the white discs which hold the contacts were firmly attached to the shaft. I bent the contacts of the first one I pulled off, and had to gently bend them back into place. I used my magnifying specs and a sheet rock blade to do this. Took some time but it wasn’t bad.
Here are the pre cleaning photos. You can see the debris from the cutting on one of the layers.
After cleaning with alcohol and contact cleaner. I honestly wasn’t sure what else to use, but they seemed to work find. Also, you can see from the qtips how dirty this unit was.
I live in downtown Detroit, and I went to a local nut and bolt supply shop (which was still open) looking for the lock washer. For those who may do this themselves, what you need is an M3 internal tooth star lock washer. The shaft size is 2.6mm. Since this is still Detroit, my shop didn’t have anything that small in metric in house. I did find a clip at a local auto parts store, though, and it fit the shaft. I didn’t replace the rubber washer. I’m not sure what it is for, exactly, so if anyone knows please share.
The ALPS is back assembled and loosely hooked up to the A-X9 while I do some final shakedowns. Full rebuild thread coming soon on that, I hope. All is working well, though. Thanks for taking the time!
