The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello,
I have a Victrola XI that has a real wonky turn table. When it spins around it rises and fall a fair bit. If I hold my finger steady on the center spindle I can see that it is turning in an elliptical orbit. I am guessing that the center spindle is slightly bent?? Has anyone come across this problem. And before you ask, yes the turn table is sitting all the way down as it is supposed to. Can the spindle be replaced? I have never taken apart a Victrola motor.
thanks
Pete

Yes, the spindle can be replaced.

If, when looking straight-down on the spindle, you see the tip describing a circle, that suggests that the spindle is bent, which will cause vertical run-out of the turn-table platter.


If you can remove the turn-table ( it should just lift straight-up and off the spindle), then observe the spindle from the side as the motor runs, a bent shaft would be indicated by the spindle "wobbling" from side-to-side, getting worse as you get to the top of the spindle.

Pete, check to be sure that the motor has washers of an equal thickness between it and the motor board, and that the nuts that attach the motor to the board are equally adjusted. An off-kilter motor could be the source of the problem.

Best --
Cody