zenith portable turntable
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You'll need access to the bottom of the machine. There are usually 2 screws sticking down underneath that have clips on the bottom. The clips should flip one direction to let you lift the machine out of the base.
The platter itself probably has a c clip in the middle of it. Usually you just need to pull that out and the platter will come off. It may need some extra persuasion though. Maybe a spoon under one edge while you give the platter a whack with a screwdriver handle will pop it loose. I've used that method on Garrards before. It probably needs the typical clean and lube job to get it going, and it may need an idler wheel. If its a Voice of Music changer, check out thevoiceofmusic.com for parts and service info. They also have an area there to help you determine if it is in fact, a V-M changer.
The platter itself probably has a c clip in the middle of it. Usually you just need to pull that out and the platter will come off. It may need some extra persuasion though. Maybe a spoon under one edge while you give the platter a whack with a screwdriver handle will pop it loose. I've used that method on Garrards before. It probably needs the typical clean and lube job to get it going, and it may need an idler wheel. If its a Voice of Music changer, check out thevoiceofmusic.com for parts and service info. They also have an area there to help you determine if it is in fact, a V-M changer.
orthophonic
Super Member
Zenith made that model from 1967 thru 1970 and cost $169.00.
The changer is VM and thevoiceofmusic.com will have any parts you need for it including the missing turntable mat/pad.
The turntable platter on this model is held on by a small o-ring, jut pull it up over the spindle. To remove the changer form the cabinet, you must remove a round plastic insert in the side of the drop down shelf, this allows you to reach in with your finger
to flip the hold down clip in the straight up position to lift the changer out. If i remember correctly, there is only one plastic insert on the right side, after you have
flipped the hold down clip on that side, the changer will lift up enough to access the clip on the left side.
The changer is VM and thevoiceofmusic.com will have any parts you need for it including the missing turntable mat/pad.
The turntable platter on this model is held on by a small o-ring, jut pull it up over the spindle. To remove the changer form the cabinet, you must remove a round plastic insert in the side of the drop down shelf, this allows you to reach in with your finger
to flip the hold down clip in the straight up position to lift the changer out. If i remember correctly, there is only one plastic insert on the right side, after you have
flipped the hold down clip on that side, the changer will lift up enough to access the clip on the left side.
orthophonic
Super Member
To add some trivia, this is the model Clint Eastwood has in his bedroom in
Play Misty For Me.
Play Misty For Me.
collapsalot
New Member
I got the thing apart. the motor spins but does not turn the platter. as this is the first time I have taken one apart may I ask, what do I use to clean and lube this?
Rubbing alcohol is a good cleaner. For lube, if its oil, sewing machine or any good synthetic motor oil will do fine. For grease, white lithium or silicone grease works well. I usually use Syl-Glide grease from Napa. Its intended for disc brake slides, but it works fine on turntables and as dielectric grease on plug wires too. I have a bottle of sewing machine oil for the rest of it.
Check the motor mounts. On the last V-M changer I did, they had sagged enough that the motor didn't make good contact with the idler wheel. The idler was also shot, so it wouldn't drive the platter properly.
Check the motor mounts. On the last V-M changer I did, they had sagged enough that the motor didn't make good contact with the idler wheel. The idler was also shot, so it wouldn't drive the platter properly.
bobaloniny
newt
Just to get the concept down, the motor shaft spins against the rubber wheel, the rubber wheel spins against the inside rim of the platter.
That rubber wheel needs to be soft and pliable for the system to work right, and if the edge has a glaze on it, then a light touch with fine sandpaper as its spinning should break the glaze.
The contact area of the platter would want to be clean and smooth also.
You would also need to investigate what holds the wheel in place to contact the motor and platter, if that mechanism is holding out or a spring is weak then proper contact wont be made, so no spin.
This can all work out assuming that the platter is free to spin independantly, in other words mechanism beneath not locked up or stuck. With the platter on, you should be able to spin the thing with one finger easily.
That rubber wheel needs to be soft and pliable for the system to work right, and if the edge has a glaze on it, then a light touch with fine sandpaper as its spinning should break the glaze.
The contact area of the platter would want to be clean and smooth also.
You would also need to investigate what holds the wheel in place to contact the motor and platter, if that mechanism is holding out or a spring is weak then proper contact wont be made, so no spin.
This can all work out assuming that the platter is free to spin independantly, in other words mechanism beneath not locked up or stuck. With the platter on, you should be able to spin the thing with one finger easily.
V-M changers use a two-tier idler wheel most of the time. Sanding them any appreciable amount will change the size and mess with the platter speed. Regular idlers don't do this, but the two step ones are part of the speed reduction ratio. Be very careful with the sandpaper. If it won't clean up easy, you're probably looking at a replacement. Last one I got ran about $30.
orthophonic
Super Member
Later VM's like this one use a single tier idler and almost always need to be replaced.
collapsalot
New Member
thanks for all the info.
I have it apart and the wheel now turns the platter though something is still not right. the platter feels almost like it is pressed on and is difficult to spin when it is installed. I keep taking it further apart and cleaning/lubing then reassembling the whole thing so I can remember the way back when I finish. taking pics along the way helps too.
I have it apart and the wheel now turns the platter though something is still not right. the platter feels almost like it is pressed on and is difficult to spin when it is installed. I keep taking it further apart and cleaning/lubing then reassembling the whole thing so I can remember the way back when I finish. taking pics along the way helps too.
platter bearing is probably sticky. With the platter off, you should see it down there in the center. Its a caged ball bearing most likely. If its like the VM and other changers I've worked on, its probably pretty gummed up. It should just lift right off of the center post for cleaning.