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This is my first phonograph motor disassembly. I disassembled, cleaned, reassembled, and lubricated a Victrola VV-XI with a double spring, double barrel this weekend. Today I am putting the motor back together. As I got all the parts together and attached to the motor base plate when I tried to wind a couple turns to test it the bull gear would not turn the worm gear. I carefully disassembled the worm gear and spring barrels from the motor baseplate and relieved the tension put on the springs during winding. I attached the spring barrels to the base plate (without the spindle/ worm gear) and wound the spring a couple of turns. The spring barrel with the bull gear turned effortlessly. I again attached the spindle/ worm gear and repeated my test and still the worm gear will not rotate with spring tension. Even with spring tension I am unable to rotate the bull gear with my hand to assist the movement.

I attached photos of my assembly and also the bull gear. This is the first motor that I have attempted to disassemble. Am I missing a key step to get the spindle/ worm gear to rotate? (Yes, the ball bearing is in the bottom of the spindle) Is my bull gear worn too much? Looking for some help and all comments are appreciated!

I don’t see the governor, I think that’s your issue. It’s a spindle with three springs on it with hemispherical weights on each spring.

I had the governor off while I was troubleshooting. I have since gotten the motor to rotate somewhat freely by lossening the screw at the bottom of the spindle. I also took the spring barrel back apart and re-greased the shaft inside the barrel. It takes some assistance to get the bull gear spinning but it will rotate the worm gear and governor. Still acting as if something is preventing it from spinning freely.

Does the spindle move freely without the bull gear? I think it may have something to do with the mesh between the two being out of adjustment, either due to a worn bearing or something else.

Also, was the motor upside down or right side up when you tested it? It's a small detail, but it might help.

Bill

Maybe what I'm seeing in your photos is just grease, but your gears still look filthy. Again, maybe it's just grease, not dirt.

Second, you have a bad nick/burr on one tooth of the brass governor drive gear. That will stop a motor in its tracks. That needs to be carefully filed smooth. Look for burrs on the teeth of the big brass spring barrel gear as well. They are a show stopper!

You should also try to seat the end caps better in the spring barrels. When you wind a spring, they like to twist a bit and press some on the side covers. If you're winding this, and the spring pushes on the covers, it will cause the cover to rub against the spring barrel supports and cause drag.