Rock-Ola (459 460 etc) Spring Loaded Struts Reinforcement

[jukenorman]

The spring loaded struts on some mid 70s' Rock-Olas (typically 453, 454, 459 & 460) are prone to failure due to wear on the strut pivots (poor design IMO).  The attached Dropbox folder contains some pictures and a document describing how to reinforce the pivot area.  After I had completed my "prototype", I realised that there was a much better and simpler way to do it using exactly the same materials.  The pictures show what I did and the document covers "what I should have done"!

www.dropbox.com/sh/6aed2uveekz80n7/AADy-P3xrNw49vG6wyYuEV0wa?dl=0

Norman.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Norman,
Way cool-- I made this a "sticky"-- thanks for posting it ! Ron Rich

[Paul]

Hi Norman.

I thought I posted a reply late last night in reply to your post. I cant see it this morning!

I have been away for a few days and sorry I didn't get the chance to reply to you sooner.

Many thanks for sharing your method on how to reinforce the strut.

Its the right strut of the jukebox that has its strut pivot badly worn, as shown in your pic01.

Can I please ask, on removing the strut, do I first remove the 4 small bolts holding the strut bracket?

Norman, with the top window fully open, the spring still looks partly loaded.

Many thanks

Paul

[jukenorman]

Paul, I think the way to approach it is to open the lid to its maximum and securely support it with wooden stays. Remove the screws at the bottom bracket first - that way any tension in the spring is released downwards to the base of the cabinet. You might also be able support this bottom bracket to ease removal of the screws. I don't remember finding it particularly difficult to do but you're taxing my memory!
Norman.

[Paul]

Hi Normal.

That's great.

Many thanks indeed and much appreciated.

Kind regards.

Paul

[Paul]

Hi Norman.

Hope you are well.

I managed to remove the top part of the strut with very little effort. The pivot of the strut was just set in position with no cir-clip! The strut pivot had indeed worn down very significantly and I would guess that it would have given way very soon. Jeepers, scary or what! However, I put it back it in situ and took note of your advice by starting to loosen the star-headed screws of the lower bracket. Two of the screws were fine to remove but I couldn't budge the other two. In fact their heads were starting to ring.

I then decided to remove the split pin of the strut, located below the lower bracket.

It came out easily and the spring, under a little load, released, and was able to remove the strut and spring separately.

I then removed the worn pivot, by drilling it out.

Now came the difficult bit, I couldn't compress the spring to complete the strut assembly. Oops I said to myself!

However, my brother in-law, a motor mechanic, compressed the spring and re-assembled the strut. Thankfully!

I have now re-inserted the strut assembly into the jukebox, with the top part of the strut by use of a bolt, nut and spring washer.

I have operated the top door and all seems well.

Massive thank you Norman. A serious accident waiting to happen.

Take care.

Paul