Beogram 5500 arm movement

10 replies
Hi Forum, this is my first post here. I live in Germany, 55 yers old and own several turntables(Sony Biotracer, Beogram). I have a Beogram 5500 / 5941 / SW1.2(if this is important for this case). First: I have cleaned and lubricated the guide bars after the tonearm hanged once during play using teflon based grease. It still hangs during play after some minutes and I try to figure out what is happening here. If then restarted, it runs through the record with no issue. From my personal opinion the tonearm is still heavy to move (manually) even after I lubricated both bars. I also replaced both belts using parts from beoparts. When the deck is opened all motors are running fine, but as said the tonearm sometimes gets stuck. What Do I have to check first? Second: This is a strange one: The tonearm using the < and > keys moves slowly (could be normal for Beograms) to the left and to the right. It sometimes hangs during movement when it moves to the left only AND keep pressing <  right from the beginning it only moves until the middle of the record and it stops(motor for the tonearm also stops!) and only If I press then play and then < again the tonearm continue to move to left until the end of the record. Therefor I am not able to start with an inner track of the record when the tonearm is in its rest area . Did I somehow confuse the mechanics(I moved the middle gear by mistake)? For me it looks like the tonearm is moving until to the position where smaller records starts and not further(As said only continues to move further when I press Play and then < again) . Hope this makes sense, LexBarker
The felt clutch could have lost friction. Can you tell, if it's slipping? Martin
Good hint! Let me check later today. If so, what can I do?   LexBarker
Take apart and clean. In most cases that'll do it. Else, the friction can be increased if you rough up the plastic surfaces a bit. Martin
Hi, how can I take it apart without removing the gear on top of it? I turned it a little bit and now it works, but as I already opened it for servicing a hint how to take it apart would be great. And with what do I clean it? Thanks, LexBarker
Hey Martin, once I all put together (Platter, Spinwheel,...) I can confirm the felt clutch is slipping when using the key < to move the arm.. Okay, now the part where I need your help (see previous post) Best, LexBarker
Yes, the cam wheel on top needs to come off. You can take it off and, while keeping the strings tight, take out the worm gear assy with the felt clutch, and put back the cam while working with the clutch assy. Martin
Hi, already disassembled. I have the worm gear assy removed. How can I access the felt clutch in the assy and how to clean it? Best, LexBarker
I normally work within the small space allowed by the spring action. Martin
And what do you use to clean it? Bathing it in something?
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