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Sony PS-4300 Arm Lifter Seized or Stuck

Luckyorleans

Luckyorleans

Super Member
I picked up a very nice condition Sony PS-4300 but the tonearm lifter is stuck or seized in the up position, so can't lower the tonearm. The lever moves up and down freely, but has no effect on the lifter. I was hoping it is just dried grease, but the lever moving easily which suggests it may be a physical problem. Before disassembling to take a look, wondered if anyone else has had this issue on this or a similar Sony turntable and what the issue may be.

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You may have a broken cam on the record size selector knob shaft. That can result in the lift plate becoming jammed, holding the base of the piston up and preventing down cueing.

The ps-4300 and the ps-x7 use the same cam and much of the same mechanics.

see here:
restorer-john

Post in thread 'Sony PS-X7 speed problems'

A blip in the speed is typical of the head gap/placement for the magnetic strip not being correct. Adjustment is easy as per SM. Basically cut a folded business card into a strip and place it between the head and the platter mag strip, loosen the head screws and slide it against the card. Remove the bit of card- the spacing will be perfect.

I just did another two of these units and I always pull the touch contacts (power/size/touch plate has 2 screws underneath and 1 under the right screw-in foot) lift the panel up and out out and remove (unscrew) the touch plate. The wires are long...
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restorer-john said:
You may have a broken cam on the record size selector knob shaft. That can result in the lift plate becoming jammed, holding the base of the piston up and preventing down cueing.

The ps-4300 and the ps-x7 use the same cam and much of the same mechanics.

see here:
restorer-john

Post in thread 'Sony PS-X7 speed problems'

A blip in the speed is typical of the head gap/placement for the magnetic strip not being correct. Adjustment is easy as per SM. Basically cut a folded business card into a strip and place it between the head and the platter mag strip, loosen the head screws and slide it against the card. Remove the bit of card- the spacing will be perfect.

I just did another two of these units and I always pull the touch contacts (power/size/touch plate has 2 screws underneath and 1 under the right screw-in foot) lift the panel up and out out and remove (unscrew) the touch plate. The wires are long...
  • Like
Click to expand...
Thanks, that is interesting. As the lever to raise and lower the lift moves freely without engaging the lift I was thinking it may be something in that mechanism. Did not know about the speed selector affecting it. Time to pull it apart and check those spots!
 
Check the Shaft Assy arm lifter, it should move up/down with the Lever Assy, cueing.
If it doesn't go up/down, then check the set screw SC 3 to see if it is missing or loose.
There is also a spring and C-clip to hold the spring. Maybe the spring has come loose.

I don't see how the lifter functions in auto play.

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Does the tonearm lower in automatic play or does it remain in the up position?
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dankik said:
Check the Shaft Assy arm lifter, it should move up/down with the Lever Assy, cueing.
If it doesn't go up/down, then check the set screw SC 3 to see if it is missing or loose.
There is also a spring and C-clip to hold the spring. Maybe the spring has come loose.

I don't see how the lifter functions in auto play.

Does the tonearm lower in automatic play or does it remain in the up position?
Click to expand...
It remains in the up position at all times. Thank you for the detailed diagrams. It also made me realize I was looking at the wrong service manual last night!!!
 
Sam Cogley said:
Does the sector gear cycle normally? Sony used the same grease that turns to concrete on it. I've found running some lighter fluid down the lifter shaft is good for loosening things up.
Click to expand...
All I am getting is the platter turning, at a solid correct speed. When I bring the arm (raised) to the center where an LP would end nothing happens, so it does no appear it is cycling. Ugh, battled with the Sony cement grease before. Time to pop this open, or forward it to a chum :-)
 
The one on e--y also seems to have a similar crack!
I don't think that you can glue it together, but you may be able clamp it so the crack is small then melt the plastic with a hot tip (soldering iron and old tip) to fuse it back together... good luck. Yours is worse because it is where the screw is so it will have more tension. The other thing that you might try is to wrap a cable tie around the bottom part of the crack then pull it until the crack comes together and see if that holds.

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Here's another similar for a Sony 2700 on eB... cracked!
The seller says "I have only ever seen one of these that was not cracked. I use the 'super glue and baking soda' trick to repair them."
(i.e. clamp and fill the crack and make a small mound with baking soda then put some drops of super glue onto the baking soda.)

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