Record Keeper Springs, when to replace??

[johnlivo]

So, I am going through my 1958 Rockola 1458 looking for parts to replace, and this thing has one "Record Keeper Spring" for each record on the Record Magazine.  They all seem to be here, but not sure how much spring they have lost or should have.  

Does anyone know, on a model of this vintage, is best to just replace them, or do they keep on going? 

I ask because I am placing and order for parts on line, and I have not powered this machine up yet, but I can kind of picture that big wheel spinning around, and a spring not doing it's thing and having records getting crack up and shooting out all over the place.

So, just trying to be proactive. Speaking of springs, I am also going to pick up an Idler Tension spring that goes under the turntable. Are there other springs that you guys are aware of that I definitely should replace??  For example, maybe those on the Tone Arm Mounting?

Speaking of the Record Magazine.  It is rather dirty. I am guessing this machine was stored for some period of time in a shed or pole barn or something that had dust blowing around, as there is a kind of fine layer of dirt on about half of the records.  Seems like I am taking on all fronts here with this machine, but I guess at some point I should remove the whole Record Magazine and clean it right? Is it hard to remove?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

John in Portland, OR

[Ron Rich]

John,
Rotate the basket and watch the springs-- are any shortened/stretched -- they will last forever, if not "messed with ( like many things on a jukebox !) Ron Rich

[johnlivo]

Ok, thanks Ron for saving me a few bucks there, actually about $80 I suppose it would cost me to replace all of those springs.

[Hildegard]

John, like Ron says, the spring last for ever unless they already look to be "out of order".
Some replace them too when they are very rusty and clening them takes too much work.

Regardless of springs: Usually the three TT grommets should be replaced, also the rubber on the idler wheel. Make sure that each grommet has a distance sleeve. They avoid that one runs the screws into the winding of the TT motor.
Check as well all fuses for being ok AND right value. The value is usually printed on the assembly itself. Do not rely on checking by eyes, they can be broken without noticable marks.


Regards - Hildegard

[johnlivo]

Thank you very much Hildegard for your response and suggestions!

I think most of the Record Magazine springs should be ok, however since this Jukebox sat for many years, some of the springs were constantly under tension for all of those years, so I purchased some from Stamman Jukebox Parts in Germany! Along with a new Idler ring, and Idler tension ring and a number of other parts. It is really something how they have reproduced some hard to find parts, like the colored Diffusser Glass for my machine.

My next challenge it seems will be my Gripper Motor. It is rather frozen and after taking it apart last night it would seem the main bearing is damaged. Perhaps overheating caused it to swell, and now it barely will turn in it's raceway.

Lots of problems, but I guess one by one we will over come them. ^_^

John in Portland, OR

[Ron Rich]

HI John,
FYI --"Hildegard" ( and her other half, Oliver)) IS "Stamman Jukebox parts"---
If the bearing is an oil-lite (brass) type, clean it with a safety solvent, then slightly "hone it" with crocus cloth- same for the shaft, then oil it generously with 20 wt. oil.--That should work well--be sure the oil wick is full !! Ron Rich

[johnlivo]

Thanks Ron! I was not familiar with Crocus Cloth, so I checked on line. Looks like sandpaper, what grit of Crocus Cloth would you recommend???

The shaft moves very freely!

What is an Oil wick? The cavity area where the bearing is? Right now it seems to be just have some grease? But maybe that is hardened old oil?

Should the cavity be filled with 3 in 1 20wt Motor oil?

John

[Ron Rich]

Hi John,
If crocus cloth comes in different grits, I am not aware of it ?
An "oil wick" is a cotton-ish/string like, substance that will hold and slowly dispense a liquid--such as oil-- If that has a bronze bearing surrounding the shaft, I don't believe it should be greased. Usually on RockOla's the gripper motor has a small ( about 1/16 in) hole drilled in it with the oil wick visible, thru that hole. Ron Rich