1800 Lift Arm Adjustment

[Brad]

Hi everyone.

I picked up an 1800 in fairly good shape and now beginning to go over it. Pretty much everything is working well except the lift arms aren't retracting all the way. They both need to come down another inch or two so they clear the carousel. Selections can be made, the records are lifted into position, and then after playing they retract almost all the way. Any suggestions on the cause? Thanks.

Brad

[Ron Rich]

Hi Brad,
Ain't that covered in the 1800 service manual ? (hint--didja oil it ?) Ron Rich

[Brad]

Hey Rich,
How did I know you were going to say that. :-) Manual is on its way. Thanks for the hint.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Brad,
Of course you know I'm to lazy to re-read a manual, then try to re-type it here ! So-- why didja axk ?? Ron Rich

[Brad]

Touche Ron. 

Thinking that the lift arm operation and adjustment would be similar, I looked at my 2400 and 2600 manuals and made the adjustment. But the lift arms still don't clear the carousel. Then I noticed there seems to be a pretty large space in the center of the lever assembly. Pic here: www.dropbox.com/s/m03ag6dttuhican/W1800%20Lever%20Assembly.JPG?dl=0

Do you think I'm missing a spacer or washer that's supposed to be in the center of that assembly? That would account for not being able to make that adjustment.

[jukeboxmarty]

Yes the adjustment is similar. It doesn't look like anything is missing, but it looks like the adjustment is certainly at it's maximum. It is likely that one or both of the lift arms is bent.

[Brad]

Thanks. Both arms operate fine and position records onto the turntable correctly. Also, when I hold both arms down in the fully retracted positions they clear the carousel just fine. I just can't seem to get them to retract all the way down. 

[jukeboxmarty]

You can discount the bent arm theory if you'd like, but I have encountered this in more than a handful of Wurlitzer's I've worked on throughout the years.

And yes, it is possible for the arms to load the record correctly and still be bent.

Other extremely worn (or bent) parts can conceivably cause this issue, but not likely.

[Brad]

Thanks Marty. Is there a measurement I can take to check if they are bent? Did you bend the arms back or replace them?

[Ron Rich]

Brad,
Where were you planning on finding un-bent, "replacements" ? WurliTzer closed it's US plant in the mid 1970's---
Ron Rich

[Brad]

Used parts.

[jukeboxmarty]

Aug 22, 2021 14:54:25 GMT Brad said:

Thanks Marty. Is there a measurement I can take to check if they are bent? Did you bend the arms back or replace them?

I bend them by hand, but that's certainly a white knuckle experience! If they break (they are only cast metal) they can be a chore to replace.

It would be difficult to determine through measurements while they are installed in the machine.

If I get a chance I'll dig up a set of uninstalled arms to see if I can give you some pointers...

[Ron Rich]

Brad,
Used--- and you think they won't be bent-- maybe even worse-er then what you have ? LOL Ron Rich

[jukeboxmarty]

I managed to find some disembodied arms to photograph. Save the pics now; I won't leave them up long. Hopefully they can help. (Edit: pics deleted)

If you are able to support the bracket shown (with the adjustable wrench) in the last picture, bending the arms is simple. Alternately you may use some sort of blocking material between this bracket and the mechanism plate to hold it while you carefully lift up on the arm. Careful... the arms bend easier than expected, and it won't take much to restore the geometry. And above all, don't break the arm. The only replacement arms I have are for 200 select models.

[Brad]

Thanks. Pics saved.