Thorens TD135 TT

[iggo138]

Hello!
This is my first time posting within this forum and i am a complete novice so... please be gentle.
I have recently brought a Thorens TD135 turntable. I have what i am concerned may be a big issue with it. When it runs there is a light scraping sound as if the platter is rubbing on the chassis. I have changed the oil on the bearing and put a couple of mm of sewing machine oil in the bearing shaft but to no avail.
I guess my question is: could this be caused by anything other than (and more fixable than) a warped platter. The platter is made of heavy alluminium and does not seem to be out of true. How would i tell if the platter has somehow become warped or if the bearing shaft has somehow shifted?
If all else fails, does anyone know of someone who repairs of refurbs thorens TT's in the UK (I live in Cardiff so the closer the better.)
Many thanks in advance for your response
Ed Daw

[Alec124c41]

There is an owner's manual here: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/thorens/td135.shtml
At the top of the Thorens forum, there is a sticky on overhauling a Thorens turntable.
I suspect your suspension springs need adjustment.

Cheers,
Alec

[LPfan]

I suspect your suspension springs need adjustment.

Cheers,
Alec

Alec,
My apologies but the TD135 is not a suspended subchassis belty but a belt/idler hybrid with a rigid chassis. I do not know if there is a platter brake on this, but if it is there it should be checked.

Regards,

LPfan

[AudioSoul]

Check to see if the ball bearing is inside the bearing well. If it is missing the platter is running to low....

[zwarte-romantiek]

Check to see if the ball bearing is inside the bearing well. If it is missing the platter is running to low....

That would be my suggestion too. The TD-135 is, as known, a little brother of the THORENS Td-124. Is has the same driving meganism. I have one too and it sounds great.

Niels

[iggo138]

Thank you so much for your prompt replies.
With regards to the owners manual, i can only seem to find french or german versions which are further baffling me (babelfish is such an idiot), any idea about an English version?. I TOTALLY AGREE THAT IT SEEMS AS IF IT IS RUNNING A FEW MM TOO LOW! Rergarding your suggestion that the bearing within the aperture may not be present, the bearing and shaft are attached to the platter (the bearing is present), is there a further bearing at the bottom of the aperture within the chassis? (sorry for the poor use of technical terms but, as stated, i am both frighteningly out of my depth and a moron).
If someone could point me in the direction of a good and easy to follow step-by-step guide to servicing the turntable that would be amazing. It's such a shame as it runs really well apart from the above.
Again, amny thanks for you help in advance,
Ed

[LPfan]

You can download the TD124 MkII service manual. The internals of the 124 and 135 are near identical. The 124 has a bigger bearing and there are some changes to the platter, otherwise both the tables are same.

What you need to do is to lift the platter up without any sideways force, repeat without any sideways force. The platter shall come up with the shaft. There should be a small steel ball sticking to the end of that shaft or at the bottom of the bearing well. If this is missing you have to find a replacement.

When you keep the platter aside it should be upside down with the shaft pointing up or better still is a round hollow support on which the platter can rest while the spindle shaft remains inside.

HTH

LPfan

[AudioSoul]

Is the retaining ring for the ball bearing on the bottom of the spindle intact? If not it may be possible that someone used the wrong size ball bearing or it is severly worn....

[iggo138]

Hello!
Thanks again for your responses. The retaining ring seems to be intact. The bearing is not moving particularly smoothly though. Should it's movement, when manipulated by my finger, be absolutely smooth? Again, if anyone knows a uk based person who can look at this for me i would be eternally grateful.
Many thanks and all the best
Ed

[AudioSoul]

The bearing does not have to move it just serves as a small surface for the bearing to spin on. Hopefull someone will chimm in with a Thorens repair person in your area. Best of luck to you!