Zenith Record Player

[johnb5345]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place to post on my topic, but I'm having a problem with my early 1980s Zenith Integrated Stereo system. For some reason, I can't remove the plate (nomenclature?) that the record sits on. I removed the C-clip and the spindle but the plate won't come off no matter how hard I pull on it. I've tried tapping the center mating areas with a screwdriver but it still won't budge. Any help is certainly appreciated.

Thanks,
John

MOD EDIT: Welcome to AnandTech Forums. I have moved your post to the AV forum. Maybe someone here can help. - Zap

 

[Paperdoc]

I had exactly this problem a while ago with an older changer (BSR, I think - not a fancy one). The real problem is that the oil film at the bearing surfaced has aged, dried and oxidized so much it is nearly solid. I put just a couple small drops of light sewing-machine oil on the area right beneath the C-clip location and waited some hours for it to seep down the space between the spindle and the bored hole in the platter center. Then I gently rotated the platter just an inch or two each way, enough to help the oil penetrate further. Maybe a repeat of a couple more drops and gentle rotation will get it to free up completely.

THEN I lifted the platter right off, cleaned out the bored hole and the spindle surface, and cleaned and oiled the actual ball bearing below that the platter hub runs on. When reassembled, it works just fine.

 

[EvilYoda]

Pictures would help us analyze this, but yeah...my first thoughts are De-Oxit and WD40.

 

[Harvey]

A second vote for WD-40. Try to get some down into the bearing without getting it all over everything else. The stuff's truly amazing. :thumbsup:

 

[johnb5345]

I used a little PB Blaster and let it soak over night. Still the thing won't budge. I guess I'll try WD-40. By the way, I believe this Zenith model was made between 1979-1981. It's not the belt-drive type like the newer ones. Here's a video of the exact one I have (not my video).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5yaj3-TytE