I'm not familiar with this specific turntable but there are some general tests that you can try. As with any problem try to identify the source of the problem by working through an elimination process.
Does the problem occur at all speeds or just one, which would indicate an issue with the belt drive system.
Does it squeak continuously or only at certain points as the turntable rotates? Put a marker (a lump of blue-tac would work well) towards the edge of the turntable and note the point(s) where it squeaks.
Rotate the turntable by hand with the power switched off, vary the speed you rotate it at. Can you feel the squeak as well as hear it?
Is the turntable on a level surface and is the turntable itself level (parallel) with the base - if it is not this might suggest that one of the suspension mounts has failed. Peer under the edge of the turntable all round to make sure it is not rubbing against the frame / base.
The turntable is driven by a belt system off a separate electric motor. Usually these motors are hung from the frame on a sort of elastic band arrangement. These bands become perished and can break or just stretch unevenly, which causes the motor to hang at a funny angle. Sometimes this can result in either the pulleys rubbing against the side of the frame (would normally be a fairly continuous squeak). At lower speed settings (e.g. 33 rpm) this may also cause the edge of the drive belt to rub against the bottom of the larger (45 rpm) pulley above it. If you can't find a supplier of the correct replacement motor suspension band you may be able to fix it with ordinary rubber bands but it may take a bit of fiddling to get the motor perfectly level at exactly the right height.
With the motor running and the turntable rotating gently press on the rim of the turntable with your finger as a brake to slow the turntable down slightly. Does the squeak increase or decrease in volume or pitch? If it gets louder or higher pitched that probably means that the drive belt is slipping slightly (in which case some records may sound a bit slow when you play them). You can either replace the belt or purchase a can of 'belt dressing' spray (obtainable from most good tool shops) and apply a light coating to the inside surface of the drive belt - don't over do it. The best way to do this is by rotating the turntable by hand whilst gently squirting a little of the spray onto the belt close to the point where it goes on to the pulley on the turntable drive spindle. Take care not to get the spray on any other moving parts or the electrical components as it is sticky and hard to clean off. If this is the problem you may need to re-treat periodically.
The motor and belt drive system may be accessible either by lifting off the turntable deck (platter) itself or by turning the whole thing upside down (make sure you secure the pick-up arm before you turn it over!) and unscrewing the bottom of the case. Some turntable platters have viewing holes in them which are revealed by lifting off the rubber mat.
Gently slip the belt off the pulley wheels on the motor and on the bottom of the turntable spindle. Check the pulleys for any lumps of dirt or fluff that may be causing problems. Also check that the drive belt is clean with no lumps or flat shiny spots. If the belt is worn replace it.
If appropriate turn the turntable up the right way again.
Rotate the turntable by hand. If it still squeaks the problem is in the turntable bearing and may easily be solved with a bit of lubrication. Some manufacturers will supply a little tube of special grease. If you don't have this a bit of Vaseline /petroleum jelly will do quite nicely. Don't use a silicon based lubricant like WD40 as this will dry out again over time.
Try rotating the motor spindle by hand - if it squeaks there may be a problem with the motor bearing. These are not usually serviceable and will need replacing.
With some turntables the belt runs through some little guide wheels between the pulleys on the motor and the turntable drive spindle. These may need lubricating with a little VERY light oil. Sewing machine oil is perfect for this. Only use a tiny drop applied to the axle of the guide wheels with a very fine paint brush. Don't use to much or use anything in a spray can as it might get on the surface of the pulley wheels where it will contaminate the drive belt and cause it to slip.
Answers & Comments
I'm not familiar with this specific turntable but there are some general tests that you can try. As with any problem try to identify the source of the problem by working through an elimination process.
- Does the problem occur at all speeds or just one, which would indicate an issue with the belt drive system.
- Does it squeak continuously or only at certain points as the turntable rotates? Put a marker (a lump of blue-tac would work well) towards the edge of the turntable and note the point(s) where it squeaks.
- Rotate the turntable by hand with the power switched off, vary the speed you rotate it at. Can you feel the squeak as well as hear it?
- Is the turntable on a level surface and is the turntable itself level (parallel) with the base - if it is not this might suggest that one of the suspension mounts has failed. Peer under the edge of the turntable all round to make sure it is not rubbing against the frame / base.
- The turntable is driven by a belt system off a separate electric motor. Usually these motors are hung from the frame on a sort of elastic band arrangement. These bands become perished and can break or just stretch unevenly, which causes the motor to hang at a funny angle. Sometimes this can result in either the pulleys rubbing against the side of the frame (would normally be a fairly continuous squeak). At lower speed settings (e.g. 33 rpm) this may also cause the edge of the drive belt to rub against the bottom of the larger (45 rpm) pulley above it. If you can't find a supplier of the correct replacement motor suspension band you may be able to fix it with ordinary rubber bands but it may take a bit of fiddling to get the motor perfectly level at exactly the right height.
- With the motor running and the turntable rotating gently press on the rim of the turntable with your finger as a brake to slow the turntable down slightly. Does the squeak increase or decrease in volume or pitch? If it gets louder or higher pitched that probably means that the drive belt is slipping slightly (in which case some records may sound a bit slow when you play them). You can either replace the belt or purchase a can of 'belt dressing' spray (obtainable from most good tool shops) and apply a light coating to the inside surface of the drive belt - don't over do it. The best way to do this is by rotating the turntable by hand whilst gently squirting a little of the spray onto the belt close to the point where it goes on to the pulley on the turntable drive spindle. Take care not to get the spray on any other moving parts or the electrical components as it is sticky and hard to clean off. If this is the problem you may need to re-treat periodically.
- The motor and belt drive system may be accessible either by lifting off the turntable deck (platter) itself or by turning the whole thing upside down (make sure you secure the pick-up arm before you turn it over!) and unscrewing the bottom of the case. Some turntable platters have viewing holes in them which are revealed by lifting off the rubber mat.
- Gently slip the belt off the pulley wheels on the motor and on the bottom of the turntable spindle. Check the pulleys for any lumps of dirt or fluff that may be causing problems. Also check that the drive belt is clean with no lumps or flat shiny spots. If the belt is worn replace it.
- If appropriate turn the turntable up the right way again.
- Rotate the turntable by hand. If it still squeaks the problem is in the turntable bearing and may easily be solved with a bit of lubrication. Some manufacturers will supply a little tube of special grease. If you don't have this a bit of Vaseline /petroleum jelly will do quite nicely. Don't use a silicon based lubricant like WD40 as this will dry out again over time.
- Try rotating the motor spindle by hand - if it squeaks there may be a problem with the motor bearing. These are not usually serviceable and will need replacing.
- With some turntables the belt runs through some little guide wheels between the pulleys on the motor and the turntable drive spindle. These may need lubricating with a little VERY light oil. Sewing machine oil is perfect for this. Only use a tiny drop applied to the axle of the guide wheels with a very fine paint brush. Don't use to much or use anything in a spray can as it might get on the surface of the pulley wheels where it will contaminate the drive belt and cause it to slip.