Garrard 401 too much rotor clearance and motor grinding

[tnsilver]

Hi everyone. I've got a 401 on the bench shipped from the UK. I suspect something happened to it on the way. The rotor grinds and eventually stops the motor. I dare not power it on for more than a few seconds.

I have noticed the rotor vertical clearance is a about 1/4", which appears too high. I can jiggle the rotor up and down by that much by pulling on the motor pulley and letting it go. Also, when I pull upwards on the motor pulley and manually rotate it, it seems quiet and smooth, but when I let go it grinds.

I understand there's a 5mm ball bearing down on the lower bushings on which the rotor rests. Is it possible that ball bearing got smacked out of place somehow? Is it just a coincidence the vertical float of the rotor is about the same as that ball bearing?

Can I avoid opening that motor for a fix?

Thanks, Tom.

 

[Mr Boochie]

I found this exploded diagram of the 301 and 401. Maybe it'll help you.