Rockola 442 record indexing

[jukerocks]

I have a puzzling problem with my Rockola 442. This 1970 phono has the alpha-numeric system, A1-V8; 80 records for 160 selections. 

With the adjustment to the read-out so that the vee of the inner gripper centers properly on A1, the machine will properly retrieve and store most of the selections. The problem is that it can’t replace about ten selections beginning with C2 (10th record). These records are either jammed in alongside the following record or dropped during the return.


Looking at the mechanism stopped at several points, I see that, for those selections, the gripper bow is located properly while the inner vee has gone a bit too far. I don’t even know how that’s possible. But being a vee, it will still find the record and pick it up. After play, the gripper picks up the record and misfiles it. It only does this for these selections; all others before and after are handled properly. This issue affects both A- and B-sides.


I have noted that the magazine stops abruptly enough to bounce the whole mechanism a bit on its springs. I have not seen that in my other Rockolas so it may be significant. However, it does that every time while only one batch of selections is mishandled.


I’d appreciate any assistance. This one has me scratching my head.

Patrick

[Ron Rich]

Hi Patrick,
About the only thing I can make any sense of here, is why you are scratching your head ! How about a little "history" here ? Did you just acquire this phono, or have you had it for some time--and when did this craziness start ?
As for the magazine stopping abruptly, that's usually a good sign, that the "dynamic braking" system is working well !
Ron Rich

[jukerocks]

Ron: I've had this one for several years. It was a complete wreck when I bought it but over the course of one winter I went through everything and got it working with help from the folks in the Phonoland forum. This one issue has never been right along with a buzzing solenoid, but that'll be another post. I had disassembled the gripper for cleaning and replacement of broken parts from a donor machine. It looked like somebody had put a boot into it. This bow doesn't appear bent and it does correctly handle most of the records.
Patrick

[Ron Rich]

Patrick,
You got me on this--never seen this happen--hopefully someone else will have an idea ??
Ron Rich

[jakedaniel]

Maybe the dividers for those 10 selections are bent?

[jukerocks]

It's not obviously bent, but I'll unload that section and check after I get past the bigger issue with the latch bar solenoid. Thanks.
Patrick