Victor 2-55 Repair

[R J]

Hi all. I'm trying to put back together a Victor 2-55 that was damaged in the mail. The most noticeable issues that I could use help with are below:

1. The tone-arm support bracket snapped. I've assumed that replacement is the most viable option, rather than repair, and have already sourced a replacement reproduction part. How do I remove the broken bracket and put in the new one?

2. The record holder and hinge mechanism came undone and doesn't align properly. There's a gap on the left side that prevents connection. Is this just matter of bending the arm on the right side to close the gap on the left?

3. All rubber components like the break pad and gaskets are dried and hard. Can you recommend a good source of replacements or how to create my own?

Thanks in advance for the assistance! I've attached photos of the affected areas of the player.

- RJ

[winsleydale]

The bracket should be screwed on, and disassembly is simple.

The record support arm is steel and can be gently bent back into place.

For brake pads, I buy cheap replacement leather sewing machine belts and cut bits off for new pads. One belt should last a good long time. Try to avoid fake leather. It's grainy and brittle.

[tomb]

You might try some JB Weld on the arm to glue it back together. I have had success with the JB Weld on some parts. You will need to take it apart though. The replacement arm screws in to the body. Some of these have small ball bearings in there so be careful. The screw cap comes off too. It has been 10 years since I have worked on a 55. I am not sure about that model. I use some grease to hold the bearings in place while I assemble it. Good luck Tom B

[mattrx]

You might try some JB Weld on the arm to glue it back together. I have had success with the JB Weld on some parts. You will need to take it apart though. The replacement arm screws in to the body. Some of these have small ball bearings in there so be careful. The screw cap comes off too. It has been 10 years since I have worked on a 55. I am not sure about that model. I use some grease to hold the bearings in place while I assemble it. Good luck Tom B

The brake trip also causes a problem. I had to use a dremel and grind off the inner portion of both rivets to get the trip off the tone arm. I then removed one rivet completely. Installed the tone arm in the new bracket, replaced the trip arm and placed a small gold finished screw thru where the rivet had been completely removed. This worked for me. A pop rivet might work and you'd be able to replace both in that case. Grease and bearings will need replacement before full assembly.

Good Luck!

Send me your address and I can send you brake pad material for postage.

Matt

[R J]

You might try some JB Weld on the arm to glue it back together. I have had success with the JB Weld on some parts. You will need to take it apart though. The replacement arm screws in to the body. Some of these have small ball bearings in there so be careful. The screw cap comes off too. It has been 10 years since I have worked on a 55. I am not sure about that model. I use some grease to hold the bearings in place while I assemble it. Good luck Tom B

All, thanks for the help! I'm gonna give JB weld a try since the broken bracket is nothing but a paperweight as-is. Do you have any pointers on how to apply it without making the bracket too ugly?

[R J]

I'm in the process of removing the broken bracket for repair or replacement. I'm a little confused about what needs to be done. Which rivets need to be removed? And how should I go about replacing those rivets when it's time to put it back together.

Thanks!
RJ