Technics SL 1700 tonearm bearings

[Pingfah]

Hello all. I was hoping for a little advice regarding a Technics SL 1700 MKI turntable with the stock tonearm I have recently acquired.

The tonearm is held in place by 4 pivots, each consisting of a screw and a sealing bearing unit, like a lot of turntables. My problem is, the bottom set of bearings has been badly damaged, the bearings have fallen out and gone.

I was wondering, does anybody know if this same sized part is used in any other models? Is it still used today? I would like to get my hands on one, but I can't find a spares or repair SL 1700 anywhere. I was hoping I could expand the parameters of my search.

Alternatively, does anybody know the precise size of the bearings? Long shot I know, but I think I could reconstruct the unit if I knew that.

Thanks.

[phonomac]

Hello there,
I don't know offhand the size of the bearings in your SL1700 arm (I assume you mean the diameter of the individual balls), but most Technics arms I have looked at use the same size in all four bearings.

Since you will have to dismantle the arm anyway take it apart and measure the existing bearing balls that you have. Bearing Boys in the UK can supply individual ones and for a wider range of sizes and more esoteric materials look at Boca Bearings in the US (very easy to deal with from the UK).

Hope this helps.

regards

Angus

[Pingfah]

Thank you very much for the tip, I already have dismantled the arm and popped out the damaged bearing unit. The bearings are sealed inside a small metal enclosure though, so I could not accurately measure them without destroying another of the units to get one out of it. The damaged bearings have all fallen through the grill in the bottom of the turntable I assume as they are nowhere to be seen.

On the other hand, the tonearm is useless without them, so dismantling a second set of bearings might be a practical option at this point. If I cannot find a spares & repair deck I will try one of the suppliers you mentioned.

Thanks.

Chris

[scho2684]

Hi Chris,
I have a perfect functional original arm here for the 1700
I de-assembled mine because I did a little project with a SME III
If you are interestet we can agree on a small figure maybe...

[alanomt]

I have some bearings from a SL1210 which might help.

you are welcome to them, PM if required

Alan