Philips AZ 8640 radio cassette CD 1985.

[Cathode Rave]

As above I bought this in 1995 for £250.

In recent times the CD drawer has struggled to move in or out but does eventually manage it. Maybe slipping belt?

I can’t get the back off as yet to look as the 3mm (possibly) Allen key screws are set five inches in so would need a 5”+ long handled one.

The radio has always worked fine and still does.

Of more concern is the two cassette decks. Until a week ago they both worked, never a problem in 28 years. Then a tape got chewed during playback on the left hand deck which I identified as the take up right hand pinion? Which has started to slip. FF and Rewind good as ever. I switched to the right hand deck which has auto reverse play and within days same thing happened on right take up so then used the reverse right to left playback and within an hour same thing tape chewed and week resistance on the left take up pinion.

I hadn’t used it for about a year before this, strange how all happened in a couple of days!

I’m guessing that it’s either a
Worn rubber belts or the teeth on a gear worn off or broken but Indont know what the design is as can’t access a repair manual and the normal manual is no help for problem fixing.

It is in ‘show room condition’. I hate broken things but keen to know if potentially fixable or is it the recycling bin 🚮?

Thanks for any help. I’m thinking of moving it on anyway as it’s a big lump of a thing but will miss the cassette as only have a 2013 Sony Walkman now that works and doesn’t record.

[paulsherwin]

The belts are probably all getting knackered by now. The CD tray problem will be the loading belt. The cassette mechanism will need a new capstan belt (there may be two) and possibly other belts too. While you're in there you should clean all the idler wheels and mating surfaces, and perhaps clean and regrease the mechanism if the old grease is starting to go gummy.

You should start by buying a bag of assorted generic belts available from Chinese eBay sellers for a couple of quid. That may be all you need, and even if you need to order more specialist belts subsequently the generics will help you calculate the sizes required.

[Cathode Rave]

Thanks. So it’s belts not gears that’s the problem?

I wonder if there’s a repair manual online that shows the design?

I would need to buy a long reach Allen key and hope I measured the 3mm head right. Maybe a manual would identify the size to use.

Good idea to get a variety pack of belts!

I will try and attach some pics.

[paulsherwin]

You're just going to have to get inside and have a look. Unfortunately some of these 90s boomboxes are a pig to dismantle. Make notes and take pictures as you go.

It should certainly be fixable though.

[DMcMahon]

Looking at a Service Manual on archive.org it looks like the 12 screws that secure from the rear of the unit are Torx T10 (head type/size), I think it says Torx, the quality of the drawing is poor.

David

[Cathode Rave]

Thanks I wondered if it was a Torx or a 3/32” Allen key.

I don’t really feel competent to or in the right frame of mind to tackle it I realise now, so I’ve decided to donate it to a local hospice palliative care charity shop as they were keen to try and fix it or failing that recycle.

I will pass on any tips so far received and by tomorrow morning when I hope to drop it off so thanks for the help.

[Cathode Rave]

I’ve now donated the boombox to a local charity shop. Some memories attached but glad to move it on and have more space that was needed. Thanks for the help to focus my thoughts.

[ben]

For future reference, that cassette mechanims suffered from crumbling take up gears, I think someone online makes 3D- printed replacements.

[Cathode Rave]

Originally Posted by ben

For future reference, that cassette mechanims suffered from crumbling take up gears, I think someone online makes 3D- printed replacements.

Thanks, probably explains why all three play options failed/fell apart within days of each other after all being fine for 27 years.