Rock-Ola 404 & 408 (1963) ALL "400 series" Lubrication Guide

[Michael from Indiana]

Here is a Lubrication Guide for the Rock-Ola 404 Capri and 408 Rhapsody (1963) Boxes

EDIT: Actually--this chart works for almost all "400" series mechanisms Ron Rich

EDIT: Michael, thanks for posting this--there is one glaring error in this that I see--they don't say to oil the turntable motor ?  That motor has oil felts on both ends.  I use ONLY 20 wt. oil here --some of the motors have oil tubes to both felts, others have one, some none- The bottom felt MUST be oiled--which means you may (if no tube) need to remove it to oil it !  One other thing I question is the Aereo Lubriplate. I would NOT use it, as it builds up" becomes "gummy", and "sticky"--I prefer a graphite grease, which can be "re-constituted", with a few drops of 20 wt. ND oil (see FAQ's) used VERY, sparingly !!  BTW- Graphite grease was used by RockOla in the cam follower path , that controls the AB switch.  If not greased (especially at the "change-over point"), it will either not switch, or, it will jam up ! Be sure to oil the pivot on that cam follower too !   Ron Rich

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[Michael from Indiana]

Thanks Ron! What you added makes perfect sense! After 55 years at least 'someone' figured those things out!  

[chadh1971]

Thanks for this guide! Very helpful!

I have a question... you mention using "graphite grease".

I want to be sure I have the right thing. I have "powdered graphite lubricant" from AGS Automotive Solutions that I purchased off of Amazon. Here is a link: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000K7TOLE

Is this the correct stuff to use? I hesitate mainly because you say to use "graphite grease" and the packaging mentions that this is "greaseless and odorless".

If this is the wrong stuff, can someone provide a link to the correct product?

Thanks,
Chad

[Ron Rich]

Chad,
Read our FAQ's section-- Ron Rich

[chadh1971]

From what I can gather from the FAQ and various other posts, this is an acceptable “graphite grease”:

CRC Sta-Lube SL3330 Moly-Graph Extreme Pressure Multi-Purpose Lithium Grease:

www.amazon.com/dp/B000KKJQL4

Please correct me if I am wrong. I just want to make sure I use the proper graphite grease on my Rockola.

[Ron Rich]

Yep-- at'll work--remove all old "grease" first ! Ron Rich

[halfwaytree]

I have a Rock-Ola 454 and I notice in the lubrication guide it is mentioned that both the turntable motor top and bottom oil wick needs to be lubricated. The top is straightforward enough, but when I dropped the turntable motor to lubricate the bottom wick it appears to be behind this plate. Do I just lubricate through the holes or do I need to remove the bottom plate?

Surprised to see the rust on that bottom plate too, so I'm guessing there hasn't been oil down there in some time.

many thanks

Gordon

[jukenorman]

Hi Gordon,
Some turntable motors had a small right angled tube for oiling there. It would probably be worth your while to strip and clean the motor and put some new oil in the lower bearing before re-assembly.

Norman.

[halfwaytree]

Thanks Norman, that would make sense, especially as the machine is almost completely original both mechanically and electronically (except for the electrolytics) and in very good cosmetic condition.