Pioneer PL-55X Auto Return Fix!

[kapohoguy]

The Pioneer PL-55X is a beautiful example of mid-1970s direct drive turntable design. I bought one of Craig's List recently along with 20 headshells, 17 cartridges and 22 styluses. All for $75. The seller told me PL-55X worked well except the tonearm didn't fully return at the end of play or when turning the unit off. I got the sense that he was tired of trying to fix it and had found another TT without this issue. I've seen this auto-return problem before in another PL-55X I had a couple of years ago. At the end of play it would lift the tonearm and turn itself off. I never was able to fix that one and sold it as an auto-off turntable. This one did the same thing. Here's a picture.

 

[kapohoguy]

With a couple of years of turntable repair experience under my belt I was determined to get to the bottom of the PL-55X auto-return issue this time. I read through a number of threads and the general advice seemed to be to clean, clean, clean and relube. That's always good advice and sometimes it fixes a lot of problems. However, in this case it wasn't working for me. I spent a good deal of time studying the service manual, especially the exploded view of the Auto Return Assembly (PXA-44-0). Also took off the bottom of my unit and watched the auto-return mechanism in action. I realized that the Return Guide Plate, part # W71-603-B, was not exerting enough force on the Pickup Lever to push the Tonearm back into its Rest. Further study revealed that the Return Guide Plate has a notch that is supposed to engage with a tooth in a small Plate (really more like a spring) part #KNA-288-A. That tooth then pulls the Return Guide Plate back with enough force to push the Pickup Lever, which returns to Tonearm to its Rest. It is hard to see how this works with the Auto Return Assembly in place. This is what it looks like from the bottom. The Return Guide Plates is under the unit in the area indicated by the red arrow.
Here's a diagram detail of the parts I'm talking about.

And here's a photo close up of the underside of the Auto Return Assembly with arrow pointing at the Plate tooth engaged in the notch in the Auto Return Plate.

 

[kapohoguy]

Here's another photo of the Auto Return Assembly from a different angle. The arrow here points to the screw which holds the Plate in place. I removed the plate and straightened it. Reinstalled with a dab of silicone grease on the tooth that engages the Return Guide Plate. After doing that, the auto-return worked perfectly.

 

[clintster]

I did this and it absolutely works! I've been messing around with my pl55x that had this same auto retutn problem off and on for about a year now, so once I saw this post I decided to give it a shot and now it works perfectly! Thanks! One little note if I may, theres a small screw that puts pressure on the spring plate that I actually broke loose and backed out (its loctited in place) so that I wouldn't just bend the plate again by reinstalling it. Once the plate was back in place, I applied a little loctite to the screw and screwed back in to the same location. Thanks again!

 

[dukeofurl]

Just a quick "Thank You" to kapohoguy for the excellent information!!
I just ran into this issue and with your instructions / information, proceeded to repair the same problem!!

 

[sanman68]

Hello kapohoguy I’ll be receiving a pl55x tonight. A customer was recommended to me by a friend. He is describing the same issue with his tt. I’m really looking forward to getting it working properly again, I’ll let you know if your post does the trick . Guys like me really appreciate guys like you who will take the time to show with descriptions and pictures how to fix a vintage audio problem.

 

[sKiZo]

Maybe get the OP some flowers and start referring to this as the Kapoho Fix ...

These old timers do develop some quirks over time, and if we're lucky, those of us who've come up with a solution will share. These forums can be a vast suppository of wisdom when it comes to that sort of thing.

PS - I'd pass on my fix for the same problem on a Mitsubishi DP-EC10, but I may be the only one in existence who still uses one.

 

[Kikugakusei7]

The Pioneer PL-55X is a beautiful example of mid-1970s direct drive turntable design. I bought one of Craig's List recently along with 20 headshells, 17 cartridges and 22 styluses. All for $75. The seller told me PL-55X worked well except the tonearm didn't fully return at the end of play or when turning the unit off. I got the sense that he was tired of trying to fix it and had found another TT without this issue. I've seen this auto-return problem before in another PL-55X I had a couple of years ago. At the end of play it would lift the tonearm and turn itself off. I never was able to fix that one and sold it as an auto-off turntable. This one did the same thing. Here's a picture.View attachment 1043107

Hi Kapohoguy

The Pioneer PL-55X is a beautiful example of mid-1970s direct drive turntable design. I bought one of Craig's List recently along with 20 headshells, 17 cartridges and 22 styluses. All for $75. The seller told me PL-55X worked well except the tonearm didn't fully return at the end of play or when turning the unit off. I got the sense that he was tired of trying to fix it and had found another TT without this issue. I've seen this auto-return problem before in another PL-55X I had a couple of years ago. At the end of play it would lift the tonearm and turn itself off. I never was able to fix that one and sold it as an auto-off turntable. This one did the same thing. Here's a picture.View attachment 1043107

 

[GregLecewicz]

Excellent info. With all due respect I would like to mention that turning the adjusting screw 1 full turn would do the same without removing the plate. Of course you need to remove the plate if it was wacked hard. Peace, Greg

 

[CosmoK]

Thanks to the OP for posting this and inspiring me to fix my turntable. After about 5 hours, I won a hard-fought match with my PL-55X. The plastic lever under the platter was so seized up, it basically didn't move. After cleaning out the old grease, and applying some machine oil to the axle, the arm was pivoting well, but there are two set screws that determine the vertical position of the lever on the shaft... and I had to adjust them up and down a couple of times before getting auto return to work just right.

In the end, I think a good cleaning and adjustment of "screw 1" (see manual) was all that I needed, although I did adjust the plate as indicated by the OP. This then required a major adjustment of "screw 1". In the end I disassembled the return mechanism about 5 times, ugh. These old turntables are truly Rube Goldberg machines.

Lastly, is there a special tool for those tiny snap-rings that go over the ends of the axles? I used a tiny screw driver to pop them off and a needle nose pliers to pop them back on (once I lined them up with my fingers).

 

[Tammy63]

The Pioneer PL-55X is a beautiful example of mid-1970s direct drive turntable design. I bought one of Craig's List recently along with 20 headshells, 17 cartridges and 22 styluses. All for $75. The seller told me PL-55X worked well except the tonearm didn't fully return at the end of play or when turning the unit off. I got the sense that he was tired of trying to fix it and had found another TT without this issue. I've seen this auto-return problem before in another PL-55X I had a couple of years ago. At the end of play it would lift the tonearm and turn itself off. I never was able to fix that one and sold it as an auto-off turntable. This one did the same thing. Here's a picture.View attachment 1043107

Did you replace the grease in the dampening system if so what kind did you use. Can't find any information about what Pioneer used the stuff in the unit I'm working on is like glue and I cleaned it out before I realized I had no idea what was in it..
That spring plate was bent on this one too.

 

[Tammy63]

I use a magnet and I let them set on it until I need to install them. Makes life so easy and they don't fall off before you pinch them back on..

Thanks to the OP for posting this and inspiring me to fix my turntable. After about 5 hours, I won a hard-fought match with my PL-55X. The plastic lever under the platter was so seized up, it basically didn't move. After cleaning out the old grease, and applying some machine oil to the axle, the arm was pivoting well, but there are two set screws that determine the vertical position of the lever on the shaft... and I had to adjust them up and down a couple of times before getting auto return to work just right.

In the end, I think a good cleaning and adjustment of "screw 1" (see manual) was all that I needed, although I did adjust the plate as indicated by the OP. This then required a major adjustment of "screw 1". In the end I disassembled the return mechanism about 5 times, ugh. These old turntables are truly Rube Goldberg machines.

Lastly, is there a special tool for those tiny snap-rings that go over the ends of the axles? I used a tiny screw driver to pop them off and a needle nose pliers to pop them back on (once I lined them up with my fingers).

 

[Tammy63]

Did you replace the grease in the dampening system if so what kind did you use. Can't find any information about what Pioneer used the stuff in the unit I'm working on is like glue and I cleaned it out before I realized I had no idea what was in it..
That spring plate was bent on this one too.

Nyogel 767A grease is the replacement for this.

 

[Tflapjacks]

Hello gang. Old thread, hopefully some of you are still engaged. I’m in the middle of resembling my auto return mechanism (fingers crossed) and I ran into a little problem. A loose spring appeared, and I have no idea where it belongs! I’m unable to download the service manual because I forgot my username on vinyl engine and they’re not accepting “new” members but that’s a whole Other topic. I’ll attach some photos of where I found the spring. If any of you fine folk know where the home of this rogue spring is, it’ll be much obliged.
Please & thank you

 

[ewshook]

Here's another photo of the Auto Return Assembly from a different angle. The arrow here points to the screw which holds the Plate in place. I removed the plate and straightened it. Reinstalled with a dab of silicone grease on the tooth that engages the Return Guide Plate. After doing that, the auto-return worked perfectly. View attachment 1043162

I know this is a very old thread but I am hoping that you are still an active member and can help me. I am also having a problem with the auto return but complicated by the fact that the tonearm down position gradually moves back to the up position. So, I have had to lower the tonearm elevation lift and use the turntable in manual mode. For the repair that you described, did you remove the auto return mechanism? If so, can you walk me through those steps? Thank you.

 

[Triggered]

I know this is a very old thread but I am hoping that you are still an active member and can help me. I am also having a problem with the auto return but complicated by the fact that the tonearm down position gradually moves back to the up position. So, I have had to lower the tonearm elevation lift and use the turntable in manual mode. For the repair that you described, did you remove the auto return mechanism? If so, can you walk me through those steps? Thank you.

The original poster hasn't been active in over three years.

 

[ewshook]

The original poster hasn't been active in over three years.

Thanks for letting me know.

 

[vinylrelic]

Heippa jengi. Vanha keskustelu, toivottavasti jotkut teistä ovat vielä mukana. Olen keskellä automaattisen palautusmekanismini muistuttelua (peukut pystyssä) ja törmäsin pieneen ongelmaan. Löysä jousi ilmestyi, enkä tiedä minne se kuuluu! En pysty lataamaan huoltomanuaalia, koska unohdin käyttäjätunnukseni Vinyl Engineen, eivätkä he ota vastaan "uusia" jäseniä, mutta se onkin ihan eri aihe. Liitän mukaan kuvia siitä, mistä löysin jousen. Jos joku teistä ihanista ihmisistä tietää, missä tämä omituinen jousi on, olisin erittäin kiitollinen.
Kiitos ja kiitos

Anti skating mechanism spring

 

[vinylrelic]

I know this is a very old thread but I am hoping that you are still an active member and can help me. I am also having a problem with the auto return but complicated by the fact that the tonearm down position gradually moves back to the up position. So, I have had to lower the tonearm elevation lift and use the turntable in manual mode. For the repair that you described, did you remove the auto return mechanism? If so, can you walk me through those steps? Thank you.

I've own few of these and everyone had same problem. First you need to prepare yourself with cleaning solution (i use IPA and toiletpaper) and silicone grease (i personally like CRC silicone grease). In addition some sewing machine oil or bearing oil.

1) remove platter and headshell. Put tonearm in lock. Under the platter you see return hand. Take small flathead screwdriver and GENTLY remove the clamp from the top. I recommend to hold it or put some tape on it because it is in tension and easily fly away and you will never find it again xD Trust me, been there. After that you can pull the hand out.

2) turn the machine upside down and remove the bottom cover. Now you can do overall inspection for wiring and check out for any cracks or broken ones. Usually bad ones are the tonearms small wiring, black ground wires and grey ones that goes to RCA outlet. If these are good you can continue to the next step.

3) Start removing screws from mechanism. There should be seven screws and one bolt. And again, one clamp. Remove those and put them on paper and mark the right places. Now you can gently take the mechanism out and put it upside down. You can see from OP,s pictures what are the parts you need to fix. In this moment you can clean the mechanism with your solution. Rub gently all plastic parts and add grease in every moving part, don't add too much so it won't pile and collect dirt later. Just thin but good layer. Move the parts after greasing and add more if necessary.
After straightening metal plate you can start to assemble everything back. Take your time, no rush, you don't want to repeat everything.

4) After putting everything together make sure the anti-skating arm is placed properly, don't put bottom cover until everything is tested. Now, test everything. Release the tonearm and press the start lever up and down. Make sure everything moves like it should. Put the platter on, headshell on, record on plate, power up, put arm in middle of last track, drop the arm and wait for runout groove. Now if everything went right it should stop, rise and return If everything went right, give yourself applauses and put bottom cover back but remember lock the arm or better, take headshell off and remove the platter before turn it upside down

5) Final touch (optional) Under the platter is plastic cover for motor. Take the 3 small screws off and the cover. Now grab the middle pin and pull it hard. Now you can see the motor. Clean the rod with paper and it's base with cotton swabs. Add drop of oil in base and the rod. Put everything back together.

Now you are done. That is basic maintenance for this machines mechanisms.