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Thorens TD160: New belt - wobbling start

Thank everybody for the suggestions.
I don't have all that material at home as of now. But I had cleaned and oiled the subplatter bearing recently. Before installing the new belt, I cleaned platter and spindle with alcohol with a q-tip for digital camera sensors.
The wobbling surprises me because I have never seen that before, upon installing a new belt. So I was suspecting they sold me the wrong type. But the length is ok, for what I know the correct measure is.
What makes me think, is that when I installed a new (now old) belt 5 years ago on this deck, the wobbling did not happen. Maybe all belts are not the same, maybe the motor today needs lube, maybe the suspensions are a bit off....
But I havent seen so many Thorens tables like David here has seen. So I will wait a week or two for the belt to settle and maybe to stop doing this, before putting my hands on the deck.
In the meantime I'll see if I can finally upload some videos... ;-)
 
IMG_8456.JPG The belt is Thorens branded but the label on the bag does not show the part number.
Can you guys please confirm the correct length is 496 mm? I hope I'm not risking any damage with this one...
 
Simple logic tells me that if your 160 never exhibited the problem before you installed the new belt (and you installed it correctly) the problem lies with the new belt.
 
p.robustini said:
View attachment 1849295 The belt is Thorens branded but the label on the bag does not show the part number.
Can you guys please confirm the correct length is 496 mm? I hope I'm not risking any damage with this one...
Click to expand...
p.robustini said:
Yes, but how come it never did that before? That's what worries me...
Click to expand...

Does the belt actually have the Thorens Logo printed on it?

b_1846.jpg
 
Just another thought.....if you still have the old belt that you just took off, put it back on and see if the wobble is there with that one. If not, I would agree with SB12345 who posted above, it is something about the new belt and like others have said, a period of break-in may be required but I've changed a number of belts on my 160 and this has never been an issue. Since the old belt was longer (and likely from use and age) it placed less stress between the motor pulley and the subplatter than the new belt now does so that's one thing. I'm still not convinced that a new, shorter (but presumably correct length) belt should be causing this symptom though.

The reason I suggested cleaning the circumference of the subplatter with the steel wool is that I have solved some issues with the belt making a slight noise upon startup by doing this, along with the washing of the belt previously mentioned. If you don't have steel wool, I have also used the green scrub pads that are on the reverse side of the sponges for dishes that you can get at most household stores. Slightly moisten it and just go around the subplatter rubbing until it feels smooth.

Like to hear the outcome of this so please do post back.
 
Fishead said:
Just another thought.....if you still have the old belt that you just took off, put it back on and see if the wobble is there with that one. If not, I would agree with SB12345 who posted above, it is something about the new belt and like others have said, a period of break-in may be required but I've changed a number of belts on my 160 and this has never been an issue. Since the old belt was longer (and likely from use and age) it placed less stress between the motor pulley and the subplatter than the new belt now does so that's one thing. I'm still not convinced that a new, shorter (but presumably correct length) belt should be causing this symptom though.

The reason I suggested cleaning the circumference of the subplatter with the steel wool is that I have solved some issues with the belt making a slight noise upon startup by doing this, along with the washing of the belt previously mentioned. If you don't have steel wool, I have also used the green scrub pads that are on the reverse side of the sponges for dishes that you can get at most household stores. Slightly moisten it and just go around the subplatter rubbing until it feels smooth.

Like to hear the outcome of this so please do post back.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Fishead.
It doesn't happen with the old belt on (and yes it is longer). What happens with the old one is the switch to 45 rpm does not happen or is difficult. With the new one, the switching between 33 and 45 is perfect back and forth.
Again, I have never seen this behavior when I had replaced belts in the past. It's the first time for me to. But I haven't seen that many, 5ish maybe... ;-)
If I can get some talc powder I'll give it a try. I had already cleaned both spindle and subplatter's contact surface with alcohol before installing the new belt.
I might go ahead and brush the subplatter as you suggest. I'm also keeping the turntable on, hoping to accelerate the belt's wearing out process... ;-)
 
Just put a bit of Talc powder on the belt, should solve your issue.
Regards,
Jim
 
Paul-H said:
It looks more like the platter is wobbling in its bearing, you sure the bearing is ok?
Click to expand...
Absolutely.
But I checked anyway and I found a small dark spot on the shaft (1 mm). I tried to scrape it away but it's still there. Maybe, just maybe (I can't see it) it's a small area missing the coating. I cleaned the shaft and oiled it once again. I also cleaned the subplatter side as suggested by Fishead. The bearing shaft rotates smoothly, no noise whatsoever, no play between the shaft and the housing - as I remembered. But oiling and cleaning was not enough for the wobble.
Eventually, I bought some talc powder and the problem was "magically" solved with the smallest amount of it... start-up wobble disappeard!
I'm sure it would have happened with time, as the belt wore out....
 
Now that's what I call a great outcome! So now just enjoy the music! By the way, I grew up in Germany and loved visiting Italy! Lido de Jesolo here I come! Actually, I also really enjoyed further to the west, Verona area. Mach's gut, Bruder!
 
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