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Idler wheel not engaging

A

Andy Ford

New Member
Well I went to my Thorens Td124 Mk1 deck today to play a record and (now having taken it apart) I've noticed the idler wheel isn't engaging the stepped pulley at all. When I moved the idler wheel on its support bracket i noticed it had little resistance. I was expecting a strong-ish spring to ensure the rubber idler wheel pressed against the stepped pulley with some force so it could drive it.
I've lubed it with WD40 (UK) and the mechanism under the idler wheel is now more free to move. However I'm still not getting any strong resistance and therefore pressure between the idler wheel and the stepped pulley.
Any ideas where I should look first?

Thanks

Andy
 
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tnsilver said:
You need to be careful with that WD40 as you really don't want it to get anywhere in the path of the drive belt, idler wheel or stepped pulley.
With that said, what drives the idler against the stepped pulley are the flexing joints of the idler carriage assembly, which can only materialize
to full potential when the idler rubs against the inner rim of the platter. So... lube your way to the joints of the idler carriage and make sure
they're all free. As per the resistance of the entire apparatus, don't trust your feeling on this one.
Give it a try with the platter installed. Make sure you wipe off any excess WD40 spillage with denatured alcohol or IPA.
Click to expand...
Thanks tnsilver.
I have some other oil somewhere i could use instead of WD40. I made the assumption it was the carriage. Maybe it's the hot weather we've been having which has dried it out a little. I will admit that i bought this a couple of years ago and given little attention to it so far.
 
(
now having taken it apart) I've noticed the idler wheel isn't engaging the stepped pulley at all.
Click to expand...
That's not abnormal.
When the platter is on it pushes and "rolls" the idler into the stepped pulley as it turns. It pinches and turns.
Clean the idler and the inside of the platter with some alcohol while you have it apart. Might as well clean the stepped pulley surfaces too. I'm not crazy about cleaning the belt with alcohol because it's not good for rubber.
Check the bearings etc. too and make sure there's the proper amount of oil in the reservoir.
 
I once got some oil on the belt, which caused the platter to slow and stop. I washed it with soap and water, and then dried it with a towel, and then all was well.
 
What was the original problem you were trying to address when you disassembled it? On which speed was it giving you issues?

I had a problem with my 45 operation. Turns out the plinth was blocking travel in the selector arm and preventing the table from going into the 45 position. From your post I dot gather that anything changed recently but walk is through the issue from the beginning.
 
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