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Slow record changer

J

JoshThorne

New Member
Last year a got a partially functioning z565 Zenith Moderne turntable.

I immediately ordered a new idler wheel, needle and cartridge. I Cleaned and lubed the changer, and tone-arm mechanisms, and disassembled cleaned and lubed the motor.
For gears I used a synthetic grease, for the motor I used a light synthetic oil. (later I replaced all the resistors and capacitors, except the motor caps)
Everything worked perfectly for 5-6 months, then it started slowing down (or I just noticed that it was slow).
I took apart the motor and re-lubed using grease rather than oil. It was a bit better, then got worse again.
Today I took it apart and found the the new idler wheel was being ground into dust and had dropped rubber dust into the motor. I cleaned it thoroughly with q-tips and alcohol and lubed again. This time, with simple petroleum jelly on the recommendation of a forum poster.
I got it all back together, let it run for an hour, then timed it. It's still running at 29-30 rpms.

Does anyone have any thoughts, or experience with a problem like this?
 
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Well for one thing, I would never using any kind of grease on a changer TT motor, use only 3 in One SAE 20 motor oil (blue can) or Turbine oil.

It sounds like you have never gotten all the old oil out of the bearings and wicks. Be sure they are scrupulously clean (soak it for several days) and maybe polish the bearing cup with a Q-tip and a very light polish, then re lubricate with turbine oil or blue can oil. Be sure to tap the bearings as you tighten the screws to be sure it is centered and aligned.

While it is very rare for one of these VM motors to fail, it is possible the motor may have a bad winding, I usually only see motor failures in Garrards and later Magnavox Micromatics. If the motor really is bad (highly unsual)
it is a common motor found in almost all VM made changers from the late 60's.

Also be sure the inner rim of the turntable is perfectly clean and the idler shaft is perfectly clean, then lube the shaft lightly with turbine oil
 
JoshThorne said:
Last year a got a partially functioning z565 Zenith Moderne turntable.

I immediately ordered a new idler wheel, needle and cartridge. I Cleaned and lubed the changer, and tone-arm mechanisms, and disassembled cleaned and lubed the motor.
For gears I used a synthetic grease, for the motor I used a light synthetic oil. (later I replaced all the resistors and capacitors, except the motor caps)
Everything worked perfectly for 5-6 months, then it started slowing down (or I just noticed that it was slow).
I took apart the motor and re-lubed using grease rather than oil. It was a bit better, then got worse again.
Today I took it apart and found the the new idler wheel was being ground into dust and had dropped rubber dust into the motor. I cleaned it thoroughly with q-tips and alcohol and lubed again. This time, with simple petroleum jelly on the recommendation of a forum poster.
I got it all back together, let it run for an hour, then timed it. It's still running at 29-30 rpms.

Does anyone have any thoughts, or experience with a problem like this?
Click to expand...

The idler wheel should not be "ground into dust". Are the two points of contact with the idler.....motor pulley and inner platter surface.....smooth?
 
the idler shaft and the top cup
malden said:
The idler wheel should not be "ground into dust". Are the two points of contact with the idler.....motor pulley and inner platter surface.....smooth?
Click to expand...

No, there is good traction. The new wheel was giving off dust.
 
@orthophonic The turbine and idler shaft are sealed together with the top bearing cup. I can get a q-tip in there but that's about all. What would you soak them in?
The lube previous to this one I used zoom-spout turbine oil.
 
The bottom bearing cup and wick usually cause the most trouble and this is the one to soak out all the old oil. Naptha or lighter fluid will do the job.

I don't quite understand what you mean about the shaft being sealed, the bottom bearing cup is pretty easy to remove.
 
orthophonic said:
The bottom bearing cup and wick usually cause the most trouble and this is the one to soak out all the old oil. Naptha or lighter fluid will do the job.

I don't quite understand what you mean about the shaft being sealed, the bottom bearing cup is pretty easy to remove.
Click to expand...

Naptha, got it. Thank you.

Not sealed, The top of the turbine that turns into the idler shaft runs through a housing on the top. There's a flange inside that keeps it from being removed, so my ability to get into the top housing is limited.
Agreed, the bottom cup comes off very easily.
Anyway, it sounds like you have plenty of experience with this exact motor.

Would you recommend soaking the whole thing, turbine, idler shaft and housing all together?

Thank you for all of your responses.
 
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