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Could anyone ID the source of this idler wobble?

Moonwatcher

Moonwatcher

Active Member
Hi, all,

I've read a number of posts on hardened rubber and flat spots, but not so much on a possibly warped idler wheel. It could be a flat spot, I guess, but I hate to start sanding if that's not the problem. Could the rubber be flattened, maybe with heat?

Significant wow and flutter result. The turntable is a Garrard 82, and the wobble is just as bad with the C-clip attached.

If I needed a new one, what would be the best source? There seem to be a few suppliers, and there's one on eBay--but it's so expensive!

Thanks!

 
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Can't speak to Garrard wheels, but Dual wheels have a structural aluminum disc under the rubber. Force applied > disc bends > warped wheel. Wouldn't be surprised if Garrard wheels are the same. You could try looking for a replacement on the Voice of Music Audio Enthusiasts website, they have a selection of idler table parts.
 
  • Thanks, Penn. I will explore that. So far I've tried brake fluid, gluing on an O-ring and sanding it down and other home remedies I've seen here, but nothing has worked so far. I don't have a lathe or much of any such equipment. It does seem the wobble may originate from the hub of the aluminum disc.
 
I hate to say this but a new/rebuilt idler is the only sane way to fix this. Anything else is going to require effort and tools well in excess of the cost of the new idler, unless you happen to be a machinist.

I've had good luck with the voice of music.
 
I've re-trued them on my lathe before but without one of those there isn't a whole bunch you can do about it short of replacing it.

Not sure if Terry has resumed business or not but I've also had these rebuilt by Terry's Rubber Rollers. No particular preference between him and TVOM, just offering a second option. I've used both.
 
If you think this is bad, try listening to a Dual with warped wheel. The taper of the motor pulley makes it so much worse.
This is why Dual packed their tables securing the start switch in neutral position. The very first time a turntable owner drops the platter onto an engaged idler wheel, it turns to toast.
Nearly every Dual I am given to repair has this problem to some degree. A true-spinning wheel on even a lower-level model raises the sound to a new level and we need to start supporting the Canadian machine shop offering new ones. A re-tread will still wobble.
 
I think the core in the Garrard ones is steel. I've not yet had a bent one, but thats just my experience with them. All of mine have been just flat spots in the rubber itself, usually from being parked with the switch turned on for decades. In "off" the wheel pulls out of contact with everything but things happen. I've also not had one cause speed variations, usually its just a steady thunk-thunk-thunk as the flat spot rolls across the motor or platter. Or maybe it did cause flutter but the noise was obnoxious enough that I shut it off before noticing the speed problems.
 
The inner part (not the rubber) looks to be fine, no wobble there.
The solution is a rebuild, or a new wheel.
 
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