How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

'LIVEWIRE?' · 4th Apr 2019, 11:17 am

The shaft in question being the one on which the Cam Gear rotates (revolves?) On a UA25 the shaft is so loose it can rotate freely. Having removed a couple of levers to ascertain what has happened it's obvious that the shaft would need re-riveting in place. I don't have access to specialist tools, so the only way I can think of to do this would be to support the shaft on (preferably) a metal block of some kind and try to tighten it by tapping the underside with a drift (or a hammer!) This would involve removing the large plate which pivots as the mechanism is operated, plus at least one other lever. Is this likely to result in a successful repair or should I just break up the UA25 for spares??

BRASSBITS · 4th Apr 2019, 12:06 pm

I have had this same thing on a Garrard deck.
You would have to make a steel anvil to house the pin and make sure the shoulders of the pin are square with the deck plate before riveting the pin

Station X · 4th Apr 2019, 12:08 pm

Is the end of the shaft peened over? If so the best tool for tightening it up is probably the ball end of a ball pein hammer. Direct the blows at the edge of the shaft.

Alternatively if the shaft can be removed it could be glued in place with something like Loctite 603. That's expensive though. Other adhesives are available, but I've not tried them for this sort of thing.

parlourtw73vs · 4th Apr 2019, 1:16 pm

I've repaired these before but not by re riveting as there is usually not enough metal left to create a suitable flange. You will need access to a means of drilling the centre of the shaft accurately, ideally a bench drill press or failing that a vice and some way of ensuring that the drill is held truly perpendicular to the base of the shaft. Select a drill bit and corresponding tap and cut a thread into the shaft. I've drilled right through in the past and when fastening the shaft to the base the ideal would be to use a large star washer to ensure there is firm grip between the shaft and the base. When the shaft is fastened to your satisfaction you can then cut and carefully file the protruding portion of set screw to the correct profile. I hope I've explained the process clearly enough, in the past I think I've done 3 of these and I haven't had a failure yet. Good luck.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 4th Apr 2019, 6:34 pm

Thanks for the advice, Graham and 'parlourtw73vs' It's not priority #1 as I have several more jobs in my 'roundtuit' queue, but I'll bear your comments in mind.

Station X · 4th Apr 2019, 6:53 pm

I'd be happy to drill and tap the shaft in a lathe FOC if you pay the postage.

TowerRadio · 4th Apr 2019, 8:26 pm

If the shaft and cam assembly are a reasonably tight fit you could try Loctite 641,various prices for 10ml,maybe £8.00 or so.Clean both surfaces thoroughly with spirit and follow the instruction sheet(online).Les

'LIVEWIRE?' · 4th Apr 2019, 9:36 pm

Thanks for the offer, Graham. As I said in my previous post, the UA25 isn't priority #1, but if/when I decide to go ahead, I'll send you a PM. If I can remove the loose shaft, it will be both easier and cheaper to pack & post that rather than the whole deck. Tower radio, the shaft is so loose that it can easily be rotated by hand. I thought of using some kind of superglue or other adhesive, but decided against it because of the looseness of the shaft.

4th Apr 2019, 12:06 pm	#2
BRASSBITS Hexode Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 364	Re: How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? I have had this same thing on a Garrard deck. You would have to make a steel anvil to house the pin and make sure the shoulders of the pin are square with the deck plate before riveting the pin

4th Apr 2019, 12:08 pm	#3
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? Is the end of the shaft peened over? If so the best tool for tightening it up is probably the ball end of a ball pein hammer. Direct the blows at the edge of the shaft. Alternatively if the shaft can be removed it could be glued in place with something like Loctite 603. That's expensive though. Other adhesives are available, but I've not tried them for this sort of thing. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

4th Apr 2019, 1:16 pm	#4
parlourtw73vs Pentode Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Bolton, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 186	Re: How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? I've repaired these before but not by re riveting as there is usually not enough metal left to create a suitable flange. You will need access to a means of drilling the centre of the shaft accurately, ideally a bench drill press or failing that a vice and some way of ensuring that the drill is held truly perpendicular to the base of the shaft. Select a drill bit and corresponding tap and cut a thread into the shaft. I've drilled right through in the past and when fastening the shaft to the base the ideal would be to use a large star washer to ensure there is firm grip between the shaft and the base. When the shaft is fastened to your satisfaction you can then cut and carefully file the protruding portion of set screw to the correct profile. I hope I've explained the process clearly enough, in the past I think I've done 3 of these and I haven't had a failure yet. Good luck.

4th Apr 2019, 6:34 pm	#5
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? Thanks for the advice, Graham and 'parlourtw73vs' It's not priority #1 as I have several more jobs in my 'roundtuit' queue, but I'll bear your comments in mind.

4th Apr 2019, 6:53 pm	#6
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? I'd be happy to drill and tap the shaft in a lathe FOC if you pay the postage. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

4th Apr 2019, 11:17 am	#1
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? The shaft in question being the one on which the Cam Gear rotates (revolves?) On a UA25 the shaft is so loose it can rotate freely. Having removed a couple of levers to ascertain what has happened it's obvious that the shaft would need re-riveting in place. I don't have access to specialist tools, so the only way I can think of to do this would be to support the shaft on (preferably) a metal block of some kind and try to tighten it by tapping the underside with a drift (or a hammer!) This would involve removing the large plate which pivots as the mechanism is operated, plus at least one other lever. Is this likely to result in a successful repair or should I just break up the UA25 for spares??

4th Apr 2019, 8:26 pm	#7
TowerRadio Hexode Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 388	Re: How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? If the shaft and cam assembly are a reasonably tight fit you could try Loctite 641,various prices for 10ml,maybe £8.00 or so.Clean both surfaces thoroughly with spirit and follow the instruction sheet(online).Les

4th Apr 2019, 9:36 pm	#8
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: How to fix a loose Shaft on BSR Autochanger? Thanks for the offer, Graham. As I said in my previous post, the UA25 isn't priority #1, but if/when I decide to go ahead, I'll send you a PM. If I can remove the loose shaft, it will be both easier and cheaper to pack & post that rather than the whole deck. Tower radio, the shaft is so loose that it can easily be rotated by hand. I thought of using some kind of superglue or other adhesive, but decided against it because of the looseness of the shaft.