Thorens TD 160 Slow

[aramirez626]

Hi all, I tried playing my Thorens TD 160 the other day after maybe two years of no play. It was spinning really slow, even the 45 speed sounded like a demon was speaking to me! I had a spare new belt and I replaced the belt but still the same problem. Now, both belts might have been old, but I just want to know if there is anything else I should look at before trying to find another belt.

The second issue is that there is a low hum. I do have a the phono preamp as seen in my sig, so it could be that, but not sure why that would have a problem. all the tubes are lit.

Thank you all, any help appreciated.

 

[tnsilver]

I'm guessing lubricant spillage. If any of it feels oily try to wipe the sub-platter and motor pulley clean with IPA and wash the belt with warm tap water and dish soap.

 

[aramirez626]

I'm guessing lubricant spillage. If any of it feels oily try to wipe the sub-platter and motor pulley clean with IPA and wash the belt with warm tap water and dish soap.

Thanks, I will try that. What is IPA?

 

[tnsilver]

isopropyl alcohol, a.k.a rubbing alcohol. same stuff that's in Windex and other detergents and disinfectants.

 

[Ilikevinyl]

You need to replace the platter bearing hole with fresh new oil if you haven't done that. You said it's been sitting around 2 years, time to replace the oil!

 

[kermit z]

Agreed, lubrication, and get a proper Thorens belt. They are more expensive, but are well worth it.

 

[aramirez626]

Thanks all. Sounds like lubrication and maybe cleaning needed as well as maybe a new Thorens belt.

Any thoughts about the hum?

 

[tnsilver]

hum is a grounding issue. Inspect the RCA jacks, clean tarnished contacts and make sure the headshell leads are tight enough on the cart pins and that the headshell is tightly secured to the tonearm by the knurled nut.

 

[aramirez626]

hum is a grounding issue. Inspect the RCA jacks, clean tarnished contacts and make sure the headshell leads are tight enough on the cart pins and that the headshell is tightly secured to the tonearm by the knurled nut.

Thanks, I will try those steps. What is best to clean the contacts with?

 

[tnsilver]

contacts are best cleaned with contact cleaner like DeOxit, but you could probably remove tarnish from RCA jacks with steel wool, scotch brite or fine grit sanding paper.

 

[Fishead]

Thanks, I will try those steps. What is best to clean the contacts with?

I use Caig Deoxit D5......I'm not aware of a better product although it can be a bit pricey for the 5oz. that you get. It goes a long way though. Here's a place, amongst a host of others, that you can get it:

https://www.parts-express.com/caig-...m_term=1100401917044&utm_content=All Products

 

[aramirez626]

Any suggestions on the type of lube to use?

 

[gadget73]

Are the belts genuine Thorens ones? The generics do not run on speed.

Thorens manual suggests an oil that translates to an AW46 hydraulic oil. Any ISO46 weight oil will do fine. A 15w SAE oil also works. 3 in 1 electric motor oil if you have it will get the job done. If you're changing the oil in the well, soak up all the old with paper towels or whatever first, give it a swab with q-tips dipped in mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean any old gunk out, then put fresh oil in.

 

[aramirez626]

Are the belts genuine Thorens ones? The generics do not run on speed.

Thorens manual suggests an oil that translates to an AW46 hydraulic oil. Any ISO46 weight oil will do fine. A 15w SAE oil also works. 3 in 1 electric motor oil if you have it will get the job done. If you're changing the oil in the well, soak up all the old with paper towels or whatever first, give it a swab with q-tips dipped in mineral spirits or paint thinner to clean any old gunk out, then put fresh oil in.

I don’t know if the belts are genuine Thorens. I wouldn’t even know where to get those.

 

[Blue Shadow]

Qaudio has the real belt.
Belt needs to have the Thorens logo printed on the belt or be from a vendor known to supply the correct part and not aftermarket belts.