[Jukebox-list] Rock-Ola 445 does not remove the record

[Ron Rich]

John,
  I think that your "snap test" is better then my test--I would add that when doing that test, do not push/pull on the gripper arm itself. Use the base of the arm casting only.  I have seen the gripper arm bow, both broken and bent, on AMi and Rockola's. The only way that I can think of that it could happen, is someone "pulling" on the casting. Ron Rich

John Robertson <pinball at telus.net> wrote:
  I find that just turning the gripper motor by hand is best to catch 
these problems. There is a knurled shaft that sticks out of the of the 
end that allows this.

As for taking apart vs lubrication, my suggest a simple test first. When 
the gripper arm has just grabbed the record and has moved about 1/2 inch 
up on its way home - turn the machine off. Now remove the record by 
pressing on the piston clamp. This should move freely with no grittiness 
or sluggishness at all. Secondly try pushing the gripper bow (the arm 
that wraps around the record). this too should move freely (spring 
action on both of these by the way) without any sluggishness. If you 
push either item to the opposite extreme and release, it should SNAP 
back to the clamp position.

If the action is not a SNAP then I really think it is best to take the 
unit apart if you want a long term fix (say ten years before you have to 
look at it again). Putting fresh oil or penetrating oil is s short term 
(one year or so) fix, plus penetrating oil is thinner than the original 
and will not lubricate as well. Plus doing it right doesn't take more 
than about 1 hour to take apart, clean and then reassemble. Only one pin 
holds the thing together. A small pin punch (1/8 - 3/16 inch as I 
recall) and a nylon hammer and it pops apart in a minute or two.


       
---------------------------------
Never miss a thing.   Make Yahoo your homepage.