Garrard 301 motor "alignment"

xcortes · 20th December 2005, 02:36 PM

My Garrard 301 motor vibrates notoriously but when I slightly touch it pushing it to the front vibrations completely go away and it becomes very silent. The push required strenth is minimal. It seems that the motor is slightly misaligned maybe due to uneven spring tension.

One way to temporarily correct this could be to place something under the motor supporting it and aligning it, maybe one vibrapod or the like. Another idea could be try to align it by fastening one of the transit screws a little bit. However I want a permament correction.

Am I on the right path? Any others have experienced this? Any ideas will be very appreciated.

xavier

sreten · 20th December 2005, 02:53 PM

Try every combination of each support spring in each position.

/sreten.

xcortes · 20th December 2005, 03:27 PM

are the support springs adjustable?

thank,

xavier

Paul Dimaline · 20th December 2005, 04:02 PM

Has the bottom motor bearing been oiled recently?

xcortes · 20th December 2005, 04:32 PM

I purchased an NOS unit (and payed dearly but what's money for?) and put some oil on the oiling points indicated in the manual. The manual is not, however, very clear in stating where does the oil go in the motor bearing assembly except that it goes through one of the eddy disc holes. Thus I'm not sure if I put it in the right place although there seems to be a reservoir in there and that's where I put a few drops of sewing machine oil.

I did not unassembled the motor but didn't feel the need to as everything is clean and in great shape.

Do you think I should proceed differently in the oiling process?

Thanks a lot!

xavier

Paul Dimaline · 20th December 2005, 07:46 PM

The 301/401 motor bottom bearings cannot be oiled without stripping the motor down.
Even if the deck is a NOS unit it is doubtfull there is any oil in the bottom bearing at all. Strip and lubricate the motor and there is a good chance your motor vibration problems will be gone!
Do a search on the Vinyl Engine andyou will find details on how to strip the motor, it is not difficult, just a little fiddly if you have big hands like I have!
Let me know if you cant find any links, I have written one for the 401 but there is one for the 301 also, the motors are basically similar.

Paul.

xcortes · 20th December 2005, 11:47 PM

I found the problem. The mains cable is very stiff and pulls the motor. Placing the mains wire carefully eliminates the vibration! Obviously I will replace it.

I will also strip the motor and lubricate it following Pauls advice. In the mean time, am I OK using it or it would be better not running the motor without relubing it. Is there a chance of damage?

Thanks a lot!!!

xavier

EC8010 · 21st December 2005, 08:38 PM

Running any dry bearing will damage it - that's why cars have oil warning lights.

20th December 2005, 02:36 PM	#1
xcortes diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mexico City	Garrard 301 motor "alignment" My Garrard 301 motor vibrates notoriously but when I slightly touch it pushing it to the front vibrations completely go away and it becomes very silent. The push required strenth is minimal. It seems that the motor is slightly misaligned maybe due to uneven spring tension. One way to temporarily correct this could be to place something under the motor supporting it and aligning it, maybe one vibrapod or the like. Another idea could be try to align it by fastening one of the transit screws a little bit. However I want a permament correction. Am I on the right path? Any others have experienced this? Any ideas will be very appreciated. xavier

21st December 2005, 08:38 PM	#8
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	Running any dry bearing will damage it - that's why cars have oil warning lights. __________________ The loudspeaker: The only commercial Hi-Fi item where a disproportionate part of the budget isn't spent on the box. And the one where it would make a difference...

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20th December 2005, 02:53 PM	#2
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	Try every combination of each support spring in each position. /sreten.

20th December 2005, 03:27 PM	#3
xcortes diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mexico City	are the support springs adjustable? thank, xavier

20th December 2005, 04:02 PM	#4
Paul Dimaline diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lincolnshire, UK	Has the bottom motor bearing been oiled recently?

20th December 2005, 04:32 PM	#5
xcortes diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mexico City	I purchased an NOS unit (and payed dearly but what's money for?) and put some oil on the oiling points indicated in the manual. The manual is not, however, very clear in stating where does the oil go in the motor bearing assembly except that it goes through one of the eddy disc holes. Thus I'm not sure if I put it in the right place although there seems to be a reservoir in there and that's where I put a few drops of sewing machine oil. I did not unassembled the motor but didn't feel the need to as everything is clean and in great shape. Do you think I should proceed differently in the oiling process? Thanks a lot! xavier

20th December 2005, 07:46 PM	#6
Paul Dimaline diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lincolnshire, UK	The 301/401 motor bottom bearings cannot be oiled without stripping the motor down. Even if the deck is a NOS unit it is doubtfull there is any oil in the bottom bearing at all. Strip and lubricate the motor and there is a good chance your motor vibration problems will be gone! Do a search on the Vinyl Engine andyou will find details on how to strip the motor, it is not difficult, just a little fiddly if you have big hands like I have! Let me know if you cant find any links, I have written one for the 401 but there is one for the 301 also, the motors are basically similar. Paul.

20th December 2005, 11:47 PM	#7
xcortes diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mexico City	I found the problem. The mains cable is very stiff and pulls the motor. Placing the mains wire carefully eliminates the vibration! Obviously I will replace it. I will also strip the motor and lubricate it following Pauls advice. In the mean time, am I OK using it or it would be better not running the motor without relubing it. Is there a chance of damage? Thanks a lot!!! xavier

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