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Hello Folks,

I apologise this is probably a very commonly asked, and answered question, but i dont know what the parts are called so had a job finding useful info with "HMV102 Motor"!!!

I've just bought a HMV102d which is in pretty good condition except it clicks and sometimes jams, also it was running way too fast and the autobrake didnt work.

Anyway i have sorted the governor by loosening the bearing mount screws and gently tapping bearings to result in greater pressure on the governor disc, and fixed auto brake by cleaning and stressing the washer on the brake mechanism pivot.

I found a circular piece of metal (apx 1mm diameter) wrapped around the outside of the motor cylinder (circlip, retainer, or what ever it is called). This "circlip" thing is not a complete circle as there is a break in the wire but it is circular shape if the ends are pushed together. When the cylinder rotates the ends of this wire were rubbing against gears causing clicking noises or jamming of the drive mechanism.

On the top of the motor cylinder is a flat plate that retains the main spring and there is a slight groove around the top of the cylinder which looks like it is meant to accommodate the circular wire thing in order to retain the plate when the spring unwinds.

I pushed this plate down then inserted the wire circle that was originally wrapped around the outside of the cylinder inside the cylinder in the belief that this would retain the plate and all would run smoothly. Chuffed with myself i applied a little oil to the gears, reassembled, and loaded up a I wish I were Twins by Fats Waller, expecting a nice smooth play at the right speed, followed by a satisfying click of the autobrake when the disc had finished...

Well i'm two thirds of the way there... speed is ok (amazingly almost bang on 78 rpm when lever is in middle), and autobrake is good, but that annoying clicking is still there so obviously the clip has popped out and has become wrapped around the cylinder again!!!

The groove around the top of the cylinder into which i pushed the clip does not look like it is able to retain the clip and spring plate. Should this clip be a circle or broken? Where does it go? What do I do? Please Help!!!

Kind Regards

Chris

Ah sorry there is one other potential problem that someone knowledgeable may be able to help with.... The tone arm joint is slightly loose so when i rotate soundbox into position and place needle on the disc the needle angle looks like 90deg to disc but when i let go of the tone arm this joint seems to sag ever so slightly which seems to put the needle angle off 90deg by a cats whisker or three.

Is this is normal or due to wear in the tone arm joint? It doesnt look particularly serviceable but it seems that this angle could damage records... can it be remedied?

Thanks!

The spring clip that secures the lid of the spring should sit inside the groove, although getting it to stay there can be difficult! Either using a wooden mallet, or a block of wood and a hammer, tap the lid all over to make sure it is sitting below the level of the groove. I find it easiest to put the two ends of the clip in first, then work round, pushing it well into the groove. When you get to the stage where the last bit is still protruding over the drum, insert a small screwdriver under the clip, and lever it in. It may well be that someone has tried to replace the clip before, and has cheated by filing a tiny bit off the end, in which case it will keep popping off, and you need to replace it.

Which joint on the arm is loose, the one at the base or the one between the two halves of the arm? There is no adjustment of the latter, and I've never known one have any movement, but the one at the base can be adjusted by means of the keyed ring in the base. However, don't be tempted to remove it completely, or you will end up with ball bearing all over the place, and a heck of a job to assemble it all again!

Barry

The fact that the clicking sound returned two thirds of the way through the record makes me suspect that the autobrake may be at fault. If it is of the later type with the "On-Off" control, play the record again with the auto brake off. If the click has disappeared look at the picture below.

The rubber sleeve on the left prong of the actuating fork is there to stop that clicking noise, but on many 102's this has perished and fallen off. A replacement can be made from a short length of rubber tubing.

In reply to your question about the angle of the needle to the record, 60 degrees is generally considered to be the norm. 90 degrees is far too vertical and may accelerate record wear.

Brilliant thanks for the advice!

The retaining clip slipped in extemely easily so i wonder if i didnt get it down far enough to find the groove - i did this without removing the motor and maybe the spring plate need pushing down further or as you say perhaps the retainer is too short.

However, the rubber on autobrake arm has perished and disengaging the autobrake stops the clicking noise so hopefully i wont need to dismantle again for a while!

Yes it's the middle joint that has a bit of play. Its really very subtle and im sure its fine as the angle is of the needle is only very slightly off 90 deg (radially) i just dont want to wear my records out which i guess could happen with only a slight deviation of the stylus angle - the angle against the groove is fine at around 60 deg.

pitty that you guys live so far away from me
i repaired so many 101's and 102's that i can do it blindfolded
1 give the springbarel plate a hefty tap with a mallet and a piece of wood then the o ring will go inn more easaly
2 remove auto stop take it apart and give it a good cleaning put back together and see if the parts move freely than put back on the machine (you might want to test machine without to see if the clicks are still there or not)

3 VERY IMPORTANT!!! under the spindle gear shaft there needs to be a ball bearing without the little ball the machine will stall eventually
this is a common problem for novice collectors they open the motor and without them knowing the ball falls out of its socket and after reassembling the machine wont run properly whatever wisdom of mechanics it thrown at it
also a ball bearing with multiple flat sides due to wear may give a clicking sound as will a gear shaft without ball bearing with your finger on the spindle you can then feel it hop as its pushed up by the govenor worm gear due to too much space under the spindle

4 the reproducer needs to be at 60 degrees for it to work 90 degrees is called grinding a record not playing it
it also needs to be placed on the crank side of the platter not on the other side this will destroy your records
tino

jazzjunkie wrote:

The retaining clip slipped in extemely easily

If it's slipped in that easily, then it's been shortened, and will fall off again in a very short time. I suggest you contact a spares dealer and get a replacement.

Barry