Stiff tonearm

[miroflex]

Hi,

The tonearm of my Sonodyne RP 4000D turntable is showing signs of stiffness while playing records. It tends to get stuck in a groove even with undamaged records as it moves across the record after about 2/3rd of the record having been played. Can anyone suggest solutions?

Regards

 

[stevieboy]

Miroflex, probably something on the bearing that's getting stuck? If you can dig up some info on the tonearm construction on the net or remove it from the TT and put pics here some of the more technically savvy people will be able to help you dismantle it to check. All depends on what kind of mechanism lets the tonearm move across the record, normally ball races. Might just need cleaning only. You could also check if there's some part underneath that's hindering or has got stuck or the tonearm wire getting twisted too much or caught up in something...


Torque ain't cheap but it sure knocks yer socks off

 

[Hiten]

Miroflex,
+1 to stevie.
Also does it have tracking force adjustment (it may be too high) ? Is the TT level ? Can you easily move it with hand up to the record lable ?
regards

 

[Hiten]

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[analogadikt]

Sonodyne sourced that tonearm from a Japanese supplier (most likely Jelco) and the bearings should be fine if the turntable and tonearm has not been subjected to any abuse. You can hold the tonearm using the fingerlift and move it slowly across and above the platter to check if you feel any binding of the movement. Check that the stylus is in good condition, free from dust and the cartridge is aligned correctly. Open the base cover and check if the tonearm wires are snagging anywhere. You shall also see a small arm that moves along with the tonearm and triggers the auto shutoff with an optical circuit. Confirm that this arm is not touching anywhere along it's travel path.

HTH

analogadikt