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Record player arm won’t lift but can move side to side.

I am simone

I am simone

New Member
I recently got my first record player( DC servo automatic turntable SLBD20B) for free, but the guy that gave it to me said it needs a new needle, and the arm won’t lift. When I place it on the record it sounds pretty bad but I think the needle might fix it. Once it reaches the end of the record, it’s supposed to return to its resting position but does not and just keeps replaying the last groove over and over, but if I lift it and hover it toward the middle of the record, it tries to go back but won’t lift so it just slides across the record which scratches it, then just falls off. How can I fix this?
 
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There is a little rubber cup called a steuerpimpel (Honest! that's what it's called!) that slips over a little metal peg in the arm motion mechanism of some turntables (a Dual in my case) that pushes up against a flat piece that can slide over it as the arm moves laterally. If the steuerpimpel is missing or just worn through, the arm will not lift off the record, although lateral motion is not impaired. I repaired a TT with this problem.
 
If it's a Technics, there might be an adjustable screw underneath a small rubber tab to the left of the tonearm pivot. Try turning it just a little at a time.
 
If the arm won't lift, it's not a matter of adjusting where the arm moves laterally. It's in the lift mechanism. I am not familiar with the Technics mechanism, specifically, but there will be some kind of lever which raises the arm through a rod operated by a cam as the platter turns. That;s where to look.

Doug
 
I have a ADC 1700 T table that recently the tone arm does not rise when I engage the lift lever. Its been awhile since I used it / played a record so perhaps it needs lube applied to some of its parts? Anyone got any ideas? I have owned this unit since it was new so this problem is new to me Ledbailey
 
I just repaired the dual problem (arm wouldn't go down) on a (similar mechanism) SLQ300. The arm is lifted by a platform under which is a thin metal piston running through a sleeve and a spring. In your case either the spring is bad or (far more likely) the grease has dried inside the sleeve and is causing the piston to jam. Open the table (instructions in the service manual, there are also videos online), find the spring/piston mechanism, carefully feed in some solvent (I used naptha) to dissolve the old grease, relube with some high-viscosity synthoil like super-lube. You will need to be patient while the solvent, then the oil, work their way into the sleeve, and work the platform up and down until it moves fairly easily.
 
I am simone said:
I recently got my first record player( DC servo automatic turntable SLBD20B) for free, but the guy that gave it to me said it needs a new needle, and the arm won’t lift. When I place it on the record it sounds pretty bad but I think the needle might fix it. Once it reaches the end of the record, it’s supposed to return to its resting position but does not and just keeps replaying the last groove over and over, but if I lift it and hover it toward the middle of the record, it tries to go back but won’t lift so it just slides across the record which scratches it, then just falls off. How can I fix this?
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Get some isopropyl alcohol and spray a lot by the cue mechanism post. It is a semi circle thst the tonearm is lifted up at the end of play. Spray it, work it gently with your finger up and down until it frees up. It is stuck with grease or dry damping fluid. I restore turntables regularly and my 3 tools I use everytime are cotton swabs, isopropyl alcohol and synthetic lube. Throw in a screw driver and your almost a pro.

If you remove the bottom cover you can clean the cue switch. It moves side to side and is connected by a linkage. The slide portion needs cleaned and lubed. Also...there are 2 screws that hold the linkage with plastic pivots. Undo the screw clean and relube. You could just oil it, but not the correct method. Super lube is synthetic grease and great for plastic parts. Do not force anything. Use alcohol to soften the old grease and it will pop off. Relube.
 
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