Is this considered direct drive?

[Nixx]

Hi guys I've got this old electrohome turntable and I'm pretty sure it's not belt drive but I'm not suse if it would be considered direct drive as the motor drives a rubber wheel which the drives the table itself.
I'm also having issues with it not spinning and when it does spin it is very inconsistent. Does anyone have experience with a system like this and any possible fixes

 

[Frank Sol]

looks like rim drive

 

[tnsilver]

idler

 

[EngineerNate]

What silver said.

 

[Nixx]

Awesome thanks any thoughts on what may be causing the spin issues I am seeing

 

[63pontiacgp]

What kind of shape is the rubber in? Is it dry, brittle, etc?

Mike

 

[Nixx]

It seems in pretty good shape not brittle but maybe a little on the dryear side

 

[EngineerNate]

Just to be clear, does the wheel in the picture always turn but the platter turning is inconsistent, or does the little wheel itself turn inconsistently?

 

[Nixx]

The wheel is always turning it's the platter that is inconsistent which to me means it's not contacting the rim of the platter properly but I'm not sure how to fix this

 

[tnsilver]

I'd start a degreasing wash with IPA of everything in the idler wheel's path: rim of the platter, edge of the idler (q-tip and rubber rejuvenator) and motor pulley. I'd also check if all springs on the idler carriage are present and in good shape and finally, clean and lube the main bearing.

 

[Nixx]

Ok thanks I'll give that a try

 

[gadget73]

make sure the pivot for the idler moves properly too. Sometimes they get stuck and the idler doesn't actually come into contact with the platter correctly.

 

[WaynerN]

The platter has a bearing that might be all gummed up, thrust washer at the bottom of the well that is worn...

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Rim drive aka idler drive.

 

[EngineerNate]

My thought aligns with the other comments, you have one of the following problems (most likely):

1. The rubber of the wheel is too hard or there is something slick on it or the platter rim that's preventing good torque transfer at certain points. Clean all the mating surfaces with IPA and maybe have the idler redone by Terry or The Voice of Music.

2. Something is gummed up in the mechanism due to hardened grease and either the platter rim or the motor just isn't making good contact with the idler as a result. Clean everything (WD40 is good at dissolving hardened grease, then IPA removes WD40, then regrease with superlube or white lithium grease) and reassemble.