Hitachi TRK-7000e eating tapes

[Anderpal]

Hi there, I just got a used Hitachi stereo radio cassette deck on a flea market. The radio is ok, but the player is eating cassettes. The fwd and rwd functions are ok, but when I hit "play" the roller does not drive the cassette forward.
I opened the player and out fell a small rubber ring (see picture). Is this the problem? How could I get a replacement ring and where does it belong?

 

[superlew]

Looks like that's the problem. Without that idler, the capstan will pull the tape across the heads, but the take-up reel won't wind the slack. You might be able to use an o-ring from the hardware store as a new idler.
If you're going to repair it, order some new belts and check the condition of the pinch roller. If the pinch roller is O.K., give it a good cleaning with some rubbing alcohol.

Here's a helpful link:
https://boomboxery.com/forum/index.php/topic/18891-the-importance-of-idlers-and-clutches/?hl=%2Bidler+%2Bclutch

BTW,

If you stick around, you might like it here.

 

[Anderpal]

Thanks, but I am not sure where that "idler" should be placed? Please have a look at the picture.
The belts look ok, but they have some slack....should they be tight?
I get the "roller" to go forward without a tape and when I help it a bit, so the other functions looks ok since I get sound from the cassette.

 

[superlew]

You'll have to remove the deck to access the idler pulley. I'm not familiar with the model, but it looks like it's fairly easy (as far as decks are concerned) to remove. It should be somewhere in the area I highlighted on your photo, but on the opposite side of the deck.



As for the belts, it's not a bad idea to just go ahead and change them while you're in there. They're pretty cheap, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that they're fresh. Someone here might know the belt sizes, but if you can't get the specific sizes, you can order a variety pack.
There is a seller on eBay from P.R. that sells 20-30 piece packs for an excellent price, but he only ships to the U.S., so if you're not in the States you may need to look elsewhere. Belts should have enough tension to drive the pulleys, but not so much that they bind or need to be excessively stretched to install them.

 

[Anderpal]

Thanks! I will give it a try Will post the result here.

 

[Alberto]

I believe you have to unscrew the cassette player so you can access the front . On the front unscrew and remove the transport plate. That should expose the idler wheel and forward/reverse pulley/wheel.

 

[Anderpal]

Hi, thanks. This is a picture from the other side. Guess the rubber ring will fit into the small black wheel. Unsure of how to fit it around, but I have to get a new rubber ring first.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

You are on the best forum on the Planet!
Members are very helpful here as you can see.

When you open up each part of the deck please take pictures from different angles.

If you pull out the flywheel take care not to lose a small washer. In most cases there is a transparent washer on the capstan when you look from the front. In some cases it will get stuck to the brass bush bearing (oilite bearing) and may not fall off if one is lucky.

Take a good look at how in play function tape transport works. You willl figure out the missing idler wheel or a wheel that do not make good contact to drive it and make everything happen.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Hi, thanks. This is a picture from the other side. Guess the rubber ring will fit into the small black wheel. Unsure of how to fit it around, but I have to get a new rubber ring first.

That is the one! That is what member superlew was talking about!

If you go to hardware store you can buy assorted "O" rings and one should fit it. Or else measure the inside diameter of that broken idler and get one that fits the wheel.

You should be able to slip it under the arm and get it there. I don't know how much clearance you got there.

 

[superlew]

Bring the old rubber to the hardware store. Find some o-rings that are similar in size. Use the size that fits best and makes the best positive contact with the take-up reel. Unlike changing belts, you may need to do a little stretching to get the new rubber around the pulley.

 

[Anderpal]

Thanks a lot guys! Found an O-ring so I will try that one later today.
Belts are harder to find, so I might change them later on.

 

[Anderpal]

Thanks again!
The cassette deck now plays fine. I fitted the O-ring with a bit of stretching but it only took me 5 minutes. I also cleaned the heads and other parts as well as the outside of the player.
I am trying to find belts as well and change them later on.
Love the red LED level indicator and the tape counter. So very retro and 80's.
A very nice player to have on the terrace in the sun and listen to old cassettes

 

[superlew]

 

[Alberto]

Good job Bro!!

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Love Boomboxery!

Please be here often.

I love this site and the members!

The good thing is that you posted pictures and enough detals to help others new to this problem on this site....

 

[crazygamer]

Hello everyone, i have the same boombox and i´m very happy to own one, but mine is more rough looking, this o-ring is glued to this small wheel and it makes a bad contact very often. i changed the belts, but sometimes when you hit the play button, it spins a little and then you hear like rubber whine sound. I´ve opened it up countless times, i stretched the spring that pulls the wheel against the takeup reel, it now works alright, but when not using this for few days and then you hit the play button, it doesn´t spin up, you have to rewind a bit to get it going. Any suggestions what to do ? And when it plays, it sounds a bit unnatural and odd.I´ve cleaned capstan and pinch roller, but i´m out of ideas.

Cheers,

Valter

 

[baddboybill]

Pinch roller sounds like it's dried and cracked and not pulling tape through evenly. Most likely changing all rubber tires, cleaning all surfaces they run on and replacing pinch roller will fix her up


Bad Boy Bill

 

[toshik]

If you plan to use tapes do yourself a favor and replace the pinch roller!

 

[crazygamer]

As i don´t have one pinch roller for spare, i better clean it with alcohol. Small wheel with o-ring has caused me some trouble too, but i´ve tightened the spring so it now makes quite ok contact with takeup reel. But still, is there something to do more with it ? LED level indicator also doesn´t work so good with cassettes and you only get decent sound quality with Fe tape playback.

Cheers,

Valter

 

[crazygamer]

Pinch roller is just fine, but that O ring looks really cracked and it seems that it has been glued together. I am not risking with removing it, as it will leave bad residue on roller, i just let it be. I also replaced the tightener, it should work better now, better contact with takeup reel. Luckily, i will get another one in the end of the month so i just let it be like that. Previous owner didn´t take care of it very well and looks bit rough.