problem with old Sony PS-LX510 linear-tracking turntable -- mechanical question

[Pickngrin]

Hi-
I just happened on this great site while searching for a clue to this obscure problem-
I’ve had this Sony PS-LX510 linear-tracking turntable in my closet since it broke a couple of yrs ago.
Just opened it up. Seems to be the only problem is that the string-like band that wraps around the pulleys and propels the tracking arm has come way loose – but it hasn’t broken. I just can’t figure out what this is supposed to look like when it’s in place (ie, can’t figure out where it winds around, other than the 4 plastic little pulleys).

Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on this? Granted it’s no great turntable but I’d like to get it working given that it’s minimally damaged.

Thanks!

[sreten]

My assumption is the four plastic pulleys form an elongated rectangle, placed at the corners.

The wire connected to the tonearm will form one long side of the rectangle.

On the other long side of the rectangle the wire must wrap around what I assume is a dc motor pulley.

Pure guesswork, sreten.

[Pickngrin]

Originally posted by sreten
My assumption is the four plastic pulleys form an elongated rectangle, placed at the corners.

The wire connected to the tonearm will form one long side of the rectangle.

On the other long side of the rectangle the wire must wrap around what I assume is a dc motor pulley.

Pure guesswork, sreten.

Thanks for the reply! I guess I should have been a bit more specific. I do see roughly where it should be, but the length of wire is fairly long, and my attempts to coil it on the hub of the pulley didn't work too well... that's why I think I'm overlooking something...

[sreten]

Its possible the two short sides are pulled in and over the motor pulley.

Like a very squashed figure of eight allowing a decoupled motor.

Pure conjecture sreten.

[Pickngrin]

Thanks again for your conjecture/intuition, Sreten! I guess I need to play around further with this thing. It's still not very clear to me (and no, I'm not mentally challenged, really!)

[lmacdonald]

Hey Pickngrin,

Have you resolved this yet? If not, I have the same model I can take some digital pictures for you. I have a problem with mine maybe you can help me out with. The tracking arm stick at random points causing the record to skip. I claeaned offf the bar it runs along and put some WD-40 on it. It helps but still does it. How tight is the rubber pulley that comes off the little electric motor that moves the arm? Maybe that needs to be replaced?

Thanks,

Larry

[Pickngrin]

Hi Larry,
Actually, I scrapped the whole thing months back after getting nowhere. I was moving, too, and didn't need to drag this thing along. I'm sorry, I don't have answers to your questions about the sticking tracking arm.... anyone?
Good luck and thanks for your offer to take digital photos.

Originally posted by lmacdonald
Hey Pickngrin,

Have you resolved this yet? If not, I have the same model I can take some digital pictures for you. I have a problem with mine maybe you can help me out with. The tracking arm stick at random points causing the record to skip. I claeaned offf the bar it runs along and put some WD-40 on it. It helps but still does it. How tight is the rubber pulley that comes off the little electric motor that moves the arm? Maybe that needs to be replaced?

Thanks,

Larry

[pmorris11]

Larry,

Did you find an answer to the sticking problem with your turntable. I have the exact same problem.

[pmorris11]

Larry,

My turntable is a Sony model PS-LX520 vs your model PS-LX510 but the tracking arm is probably the same.

[Ropie]

I had a Sony linear-tracker a few months back, can't remember the model (I'll have to look it up when I get back). The arm on mine would get so far then refuse to move any further but I did manage to fix it. The problem was two-fold as I remember:

1. the rubber band around the motor that drove the arm was just a bit old. I replaced it with one of the same section (they are either square or circular section). You can buy a selection of bands for tape machines on ebay - one of these is bound to fit.

2. there was also a problem with the sensors inside the arm body that tell the arm when it has to move on (these are not actually true linear-trackers as the arm has to be tangental to a very small degree before the motor kicks in for a fraction of a second and moves it on half a mil). I had to adjust them somehow but can't remember what I did - maybe if you can take the arm apart (very carefully!) and take some photos it may jog my memory.