Help for Uneven cassette player speed

[Norm1968]

Hi there
One of my old BB plays cassettes, but the speed is uneven and there is a great deal of flutter in the sound. All other functions work perfect.
Simple fix or not?
Thanks

 

[baddboybill]

Pinch roller controls speed and steady sound. Try cleaning it or replace it which is always better.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

There are lots of components in the tape transport mechanism like what Bill mentioned can cause speed variation.

In play mode, use your finger and feel how much torque you get on the take up reel axle. If there is not enough torque, contact wheels in the tape transport mechanism can wear off from age or slip when it gets harder. The pinch roller rubber gets hard and cause all kid of speed variation. Normally I use a 1000 grit emery paper and sand a fine nano layer in play mode taking care not to sand the capstan or other parts. It is always better to replace those pinch rollers. When the pinch roller gets hard it can shrink also, which would give less pressure on tape against the capstan. Inadequate pressure means slippage and speed variation.

In some cases brushes on the motor can wear and cause speed variation. Also the tape speed adjustment trimmers too can cause problems. One of my decks had this speed variation, and when I turned the trimmer slightly forward and brought it back to the original position, rectified the problem.

Electrical contacts that activate play mode can also cause issues, so also loose or worn out belts or gears in the tape transport mechanism.

It will not be a simple fix if the contact wheels or gears are hidden inside the deck. It might take some time to get inside the deck assembly and replace them.

By the way what is the make and model of your boombox?

 

[Norm1968]

There are lots of components in the tape transport mechanism like what Bill mentioned can cause speed variation.

In play mode, use your finger and feel how much torque you get on the take up reel axle. If there is not enough torque, contact wheels in the tape transport mechanism can wear off from age or slip when it gets harder. The pinch roller rubber gets hard and cause all kid of speed variation. Normally I use a 1000 grit emery paper and sand a fine nano layer in play mode taking care not to sand the capstan or other parts. It is always better to replace those pinch rollers. When the pinch roller gets hard it can shrink also, which would give less pressure on tape against the capstan. Inadequate pressure means slippage and speed variation.

In some cases brushes on the motor can wear and cause speed variation. Also the tape speed adjustment trimmers too can cause problems. One of my decks had this speed variation, and when I turned the trimmer slightly forward and brought it back to the original position, rectified the problem.

Electrical contacts that activate play mode can also cause issues, so also loose or worn out belts or gears in the tape transport mechanism.

It will not be a simple fix if the contact wheels or gears are hidden inside the deck. It might take some time to get inside the deck assembly and replace them.

By the way what is the make and model of your boombox?

Unfortunatly it is my last BB. RX-7200 😞
The seller said belt had been changed.

Pinch roller controls speed and steady sound. Try cleaning it or replace it which is always better.

Tryed that but no change. 😕

At first I thought is was my cassette that was winded to tight after listening to it many times. But with every cassette it’s the same.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

My deck and all were working flawlessly when I got the box, so I have never tried to access the interior of my RX 7200 deck. It looked so complicated to me at that time, way beyond my abilities and knowledge level, plus I had no courage.

One of our experts here can chime in.

Hang in there .... good luck with the fixing.

 

[Norm1968]

I have seen pics of the interior of that box... scary for a guy like me with no knowledge in electronics...
I have heard of a member called Toshik. He seems to know about these RX-7200.
Thanks for your input. You’ve given me and idea of possiblities.

 

[Coast Steve]

Mine does the same thing.

 

[baddboybill]

There are lots of components in the tape transport mechanism like what Bill mentioned can cause speed variation.
In play mode, use your finger and feel how much torque you get on the take up reel axle. If there is not enough torque, contact wheels in the tape transport mechanism can wear off from age or slip when it gets harder. The pinch roller rubber gets hard and cause all kid of speed variation. Normally I use a 1000 grit emery paper and sand a fine nano layer in play mode taking care not to sand the capstan or other parts. It is always better to replace those pinch rollers. When the pinch roller gets hard it can shrink also, which would give less pressure on tape against the capstan. Inadequate pressure means slippage and speed variation.
In some cases brushes on the motor can wear and cause speed variation. Also the tape speed adjustment trimmers too can cause problems. One of my decks had this speed variation, and when I turned the trimmer slightly forward and brought it back to the original position, rectified the problem.
Electrical contacts that activate play mode can also cause issues, so also loose or worn out belts or gears in the tape transport mechanism.
It will not be a simple fix if the contact wheels or gears are hidden inside the deck. It might take some time to get inside the deck assembly and replace them.
By the way what is the make and model of your boombox?

Unfortunatly it is my last BB. RX-7200
The seller said belt had been changed.

Pinch roller controls speed and steady sound. Try cleaning it or replace it which is always better.

Tryed that but no change. At first I thought is was my cassette that was winded to tight after listening to it many times. But with every cassette it’s the same.

Did you clean or replace. Because it has been my honest opinion to just replace because 99% pinch roller are cracked and dry and cause mostly all these types issues. I replace all my pinch rollers now because even if after cleaning it works it will only last short time

 

[Radio raheem]

damn, sorry to read this Norm....if i had a pound for every time id been scammed on the forums and ebay id be a rich man

 

[Norm1968]

There are lots of components in the tape transport mechanism like what Bill mentioned can cause speed variation.
In play mode, use your finger and feel how much torque you get on the take up reel axle. If there is not enough torque, contact wheels in the tape transport mechanism can wear off from age or slip when it gets harder. The pinch roller rubber gets hard and cause all kid of speed variation. Normally I use a 1000 grit emery paper and sand a fine nano layer in play mode taking care not to sand the capstan or other parts. It is always better to replace those pinch rollers. When the pinch roller gets hard it can shrink also, which would give less pressure on tape against the capstan. Inadequate pressure means slippage and speed variation.
In some cases brushes on the motor can wear and cause speed variation. Also the tape speed adjustment trimmers too can cause problems. One of my decks had this speed variation, and when I turned the trimmer slightly forward and brought it back to the original position, rectified the problem.
Electrical contacts that activate play mode can also cause issues, so also loose or worn out belts or gears in the tape transport mechanism.
It will not be a simple fix if the contact wheels or gears are hidden inside the deck. It might take some time to get inside the deck assembly and replace them.
By the way what is the make and model of your boombox?

Unfortunatly it is my last BB. RX-7200
The seller said belt had been changed.

Pinch roller controls speed and steady sound. Try cleaning it or replace it which is always better.

Tryed that but no change. At first I thought is was my cassette that was winded to tight after listening to it many times. But with every cassette it’s the same.

Did you clean or replace. Because it has been my honest opinion to just replace because 99% pinch roller are cracked and dry and cause mostly all these types issues. I replace all my pinch rollers now because even if after cleaning it works it will only last short time
I did try cleaning but not much changed. Replacing pinch roler is a scary thing for me. Not much of a technician and I wouldn’t want to damage anything. I will take the time to think of my next move. Its a great box and everything else is perfectly fine so... no stress.
Thanks for your input.

damn, sorry to read this Norm....if i had a pound for every time id been scammed on the forums and ebay id be a rich man

Thanks Rimmer
I contacted the seller, she was surprised to hear about the problem. Some work had been done on the box, pinch roller changed and all. I seriously believe that she did not notice the problem. She even sent videos to me before I bought the box to confirm how every fonctions work as they should. But I’ didn’t think to ask for a video of tape playing. My bad.
Still love the box and will find a way to fix that. It is probably not much. Just scared of going in there.

 

[baddboybill]

Well Norm I will offer my assistance and you want to ship me the unit I can check it. PM me if you are interested

 

[Norm1968]

Mine does the same thing.

Thats no fun, have you tried to fix the problem?

Well Norm I will offer my assistance and you want to ship me the unit I can check it. PM me if you are interested

Thanks for the offer! Will keep that in mind.


The seller confirm that the belt had been change but, could it be wrong lenght? would that have this effect?

 

[ralrein1]

Hi their Norm. Sorry to hear about your problems with the rx-7200. A belt that is ever so slightly loose,will not sound right. Could be your problem. On the other side of he spectrum,a belt that is too tight generally causes the deck to play slower. So it couldn't hurt to replace them. Good luck to you. If I were in your shoes I'd take Bill up on his offer. The guys a master blaster and knows his stuff.

 

[Norm1968]

Hi their Norm. Sorry to hear about your problems with the rx-7200. A belt that is ever so slightly loose,will not sound right. Could be your problem. On the other side of he spectrum,a belt that is too tight generally causes the deck to play slower. So it couldn't hurt to replace them. Good luck to you. If I were in your shoes I'd take Bill up on his offer. The guys a master blaster and knows his stuff.

Thanks Ralrein1!
I’m seriously considering his offer. I have to make sure I pack it right so it doesn’t get damaged on the way there and back. For some raison, I kept the packaging it came in with.
I will let the holidays coming up past and than look into it.

Question for guys,
I just bought an RX-7000 belt kit. Just in case I would need it at some point. Ya ya I do buy stuf just in case lol
Would these belts fit the RX-7200?