GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

scabraal · 28th Mar 2018, 8:44 pm

Hi

I have a Garrard TA MK II and the speed selector is totally stuck. Attached are a couple of photos of the lifting gear. As you can see it seems to have come apart slight and I think has jammed open.

Would anyone one know how the lifting gear unit is supposed to look? I imagine a closed unit that turns, but wondered if anyone could advise before I dismantle to try and fix.

Many Thanks

Nickthedentist · 29th Mar 2018, 9:22 am

Hello and welcome.

Nothing wrong there apart from that the lubricants have turned to a glue-like substance over the decades.

Apply some penetrating oil and heat from a hair dryer, and it will gradually free up. When it does, take the bits apart, clean with alcohol (meths or IPA) then apply a little light grease before reassembling.

N.

Bookman · 29th Mar 2018, 11:54 am

Likewise from a welcome point of view and indeed an iteration of Nick's comments. I have used WD40 in the past and have left it for a couple of hours. I was then pleasantly amazed at the methodology of design employed to achieve a means to an end. It's not just the mechanics of the piece but imagine the maths associated with it and its corresponding components to get the speed continuously correct?
Joe

Audio1950 · 30th Mar 2018, 12:02 pm

At the bottom of that spring there is a dished washer, then a circlip. After a liberal soaking with the WD40, hold the spring and washer in place, then slide the circlip off and gently wiggle the other piece of the mechanism off. If it refuses to budge, heat it with a hairdryer, which should melt the hardened grease on the spindle, which is what has caused the whole thing to seize. There is a spring you will have to remove as well, but that's on the top of the mechanism, and will be obvious.

scabraal · 1st Apr 2018, 5:36 pm

Many thanks Nickthedentist, Bookman, Audio1950,

This is so helpful - thanks for the great advice. I will try this and report back. Thanks again,
San

scabraal · 4th Apr 2018, 7:24 pm

Hi

Dismantled and applied penetrating oil. It's turning quite nicely now.

Just to check on the clean and grease step - I should apply grease as shown in 1.jpg.

Do I need to apply any grease on the small roller as shown in 2.jpg?

I agree with Bookman - it's a wonderful mechanism.

Many thanks for your help
San

Michael Maurice · 4th Apr 2018, 11:51 pm

You need to carefully remove the circlip, cup and spring, separate the two parts, thoroughly clean all surfaces, then re-lubricate with grease on all contacting surfaces.

scabraal · 10th Apr 2018, 3:29 pm

Hi

Just to say I dismantled, cleaned and regreased and all is well now.
Many thanks for your help

San

28th Mar 2018, 8:44 pm	#1
scabraal Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Ealing, London, UK. Posts: 4	GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck Hi I have a Garrard TA MK II and the speed selector is totally stuck. Attached are a couple of photos of the lifting gear. As you can see it seems to have come apart slight and I think has jammed open. Would anyone one know how the lifting gear unit is supposed to look? I imagine a closed unit that turns, but wondered if anyone could advise before I dismantle to try and fix. Many Thanks Attached Thumbnails

29th Mar 2018, 9:22 am	#2
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,846	Re: GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck Hello and welcome. Nothing wrong there apart from that the lubricants have turned to a glue-like substance over the decades. Apply some penetrating oil and heat from a hair dryer, and it will gradually free up. When it does, take the bits apart, clean with alcohol (meths or IPA) then apply a little light grease before reassembling. N.

29th Mar 2018, 11:54 am	#3
Bookman Hexode Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Taunton, Somerset, UK. Posts: 318	Re: GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck Likewise from a welcome point of view and indeed an iteration of Nick's comments. I have used WD40 in the past and have left it for a couple of hours. I was then pleasantly amazed at the methodology of design employed to achieve a means to an end. It's not just the mechanics of the piece but imagine the maths associated with it and its corresponding components to get the speed continuously correct? Joe

30th Mar 2018, 12:02 pm	#4
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck At the bottom of that spring there is a dished washer, then a circlip. After a liberal soaking with the WD40, hold the spring and washer in place, then slide the circlip off and gently wiggle the other piece of the mechanism off. If it refuses to budge, heat it with a hairdryer, which should melt the hardened grease on the spindle, which is what has caused the whole thing to seize. There is a spring you will have to remove as well, but that's on the top of the mechanism, and will be obvious. Last edited by Audio1950; 30th Mar 2018 at 12:09 pm.

1st Apr 2018, 5:36 pm	#5
scabraal Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Ealing, London, UK. Posts: 4	Re: GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck Many thanks Nickthedentist, Bookman, Audio1950, This is so helpful - thanks for the great advice. I will try this and report back. Thanks again, San

4th Apr 2018, 7:24 pm	#6
scabraal Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Ealing, London, UK. Posts: 4	Re: GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck Hi Dismantled and applied penetrating oil. It's turning quite nicely now. Just to check on the clean and grease step - I should apply grease as shown in 1.jpg. Do I need to apply any grease on the small roller as shown in 2.jpg? I agree with Bookman - it's a wonderful mechanism. Many thanks for your help San Attached Thumbnails

4th Apr 2018, 11:51 pm	#7
Michael Maurice Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Wembley, Middlesex Posts: 7,224	Re: GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck You need to carefully remove the circlip, cup and spring, separate the two parts, thoroughly clean all surfaces, then re-lubricate with grease on all contacting surfaces. __________________ Forum Moderator http://www.michaelmauricerepairs.co.uk/

10th Apr 2018, 3:29 pm	#8
scabraal Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Ealing, London, UK. Posts: 4	Re: GARRARD TA MK II Speed Selector Stuck Hi Just to say I dismantled, cleaned and regreased and all is well now. Many thanks for your help San