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Pioneer PL-117d needle drops too hard

kyledp

kyledp

Active Member
Hi all...

this is dumb, but I can’t figure it out. I have a 1976 Pioneer PL-117d that I’ve been messing with for quite some time now.

I’ve got all the automatic functions working as far as start/stop/replay... but the problem I have is that when the needle drops, it comes down way too hard. It then bounces around instead of landing softly.

is there an adjustment somewhere that controls the speed of how the needle drops? Am I simply missing something obvious? My needle sits about 3/8 of an inch off the vinyl surface when the arm is lifted. I tried inside to adjust the spring attached to the plunger, but got no improvement either way.

I’ve cleaned and relubricated this whole thing... but can’t figure this last bit out.

cartridge is an ortofon 2m blue
 
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Not familiar with that TT. However the ones I am have a heavy silicon grease in the piston part that slowly lowers the rest the arm sits on when raised. I am guessing that needs a clean and re lube. hope this helps.cheers
 
Do you have a manual ,maybe has info . The stuff I am talking about is very thick 300,000 cst to 500,000 cst bought mine off the bay two syringes one each.
 
In that mechanism, 300K silicon, or higher, would be appropriate. I use 500K when working on that line of TTs.

If you used some sort of bearing grease, or something similar, you will have made the problem worse. It will need to be cleaned out before using the slicon.
 
You know... I do have the service manual and I’ve gone over it repeatedly. These old pioneer manuals are poorly written IMO and they don’t have quite a few details. My manual is covered with notes as I’ve tried things over and over...

Will try the 500 silicon. Makes sense...
 
Ok, I went to 2 hardware stores... nada...

but then I did some internet searching and ended up buying this on amazon:

Traxxas 5039 Differential Oil, 500,000 Weight https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015YZJAG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3RFlFbSNT9F55

the very first review is from a guy who used it to solve my very same problem, so there you go. Delivery is a couple of weeks out, but it’ll be here soon enough.

do you guys recommend using this to lubricate many of the internal functions? I used lithium grease, I take it I messed up.
 
NO! Only on cueing. Lithium fine for mechanicals. Oil for the platter bearing. Replace foam in springs.

You will see why when silicon oil arrives!
 
Thanks Spark1... I’m sure the grease is super thick. For now, I’m just manually setting my needle until the grease arrives.

meanwhile, something you said earlier intrigued me. Replace the foam in the springs. Yes, the foam is there and is likely 44 years old. What type of foam should I use here? Should I improvise something? I’m good at improvising.
 
Improvise. Medium density foam strips (1x1) can sometimes be found in the weatherstripping section of the hardware store. The foam damps the springs. On a lot of these TTs, the foam has either hardened, shrunken down to the point where it no longer serves its intended purpose, or has literally disintegrated to dust.

The other two maintenance items you might think about are 1. oil the motor (at base of capstan/pulley), and 2. clean out the platter bearing and refresh with new oil. This second item may not be needed...if the platter spins with no noise (belt removed) and for a decent amount of time, it can wait.
 
Ok, thanks! I’ve already completely cleaned and oiled the platter bearing and it spins for days.

I’ll oil the motor when I have it opened to do the foam and the plunger when the new grease arrives. 3 in 1 oil for the motor good?
 
Nope. Additives not good.

Use sewing machine oil or Tri-Flow in the bearing well and for the motor.

I've also used 5-20 synthetic for the platter bearings in this line of tables..this will be a bit heavier than sewing machine oil or Tri-flow.
 
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Hi All,
So I got this grease and now I’m trying to get the quantity just right. The needle comes down nice and slow, but at the end of the record, it doesn’t lift fast enough to clear the needle out of the way before the arm returns. I’m sure there is a perfect amount to make it just right. I’m also messing with the spring under the lift plunger.

I oiled the motor and replaced the foam in the springs.

the biggest problem I’m having right now however is the 4” gear under the platter. When the start or stop functions are invoked, the gear does its thing, but doesn’t return on the blank spot of the gear like I wish it would. It skips the blank spot and goes too far. It stops about a 1/4 into the teeth, which causes the whole process to repeat and repeat. I’m sure there’s an adjustment for that, but I can’t find it.
 
I am having the same problem on my 117. How much oil did you put in? I need to add some and can’t find any data on how much.
 
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