Rega Planar 3 problems with motor speed

[Etnier]

It's my recollection that denatured alcohol can damage rubber. In my 25+-year career as an audio engineer we maintained a lot of rubber components (tape deck pinch rollers, various drive belts) and never used denatured alcohol. We used 100% isopropyl alcohol: the active ingredient in rubbing alcohol. You should not use rubbing alcohol, since it's cut down to 75% or less and the manufacturers often put ingredients like lanolin into it. 100% isopropyl can be a bit hard to find, but any good electronics supply vendor will have it.

Hope this helps.

[gdest]

No, the pulley is tight.
It looks like it's difficult to motor to turn while playing the record.

[Dinohyus Hollandi]

It looks like it's difficult to motor to turn while playing the record.

Had the same issue some time ago after my Planar 3 had been unused for some years. Took it to a friendly Rega dealer who cleaned and lubed the motor and replaced the belt with a new one and it has been working like a demon ever since.

[gdest]

It was unused some years......
There is no any Rega dealers in my region.
Can I oil the motor axis with 10 w 40 by adding a few drops?
What is procedure of oiling?

[JaS]

A couple of drops of 10W40 shouldn't do any harm, but it would be better to get some of the recommended Hypoid Gear oil when you get the chance.

FWIW this is the official procedure for relubing the bearing, although I've never bothered removing the bearing and trichloroethane isn't strictly necessary.

1. Undo hub nut and remove washer. Remove hub/bearing from turntable. As the brass bearing bush is designed to fit tightly in the plinth, gentle tapping on the base of the bearing bush with a plastic hammer may be necessary. (We advise that this is not done in front of the customer!)

2. Slowly withdraw the hub from the brass bearing bush, (if the hub is pulled out quickly the ball bearing may inadvertently be sucked out and lost). Remove ball bearing by turning the bearing bush upside down and tapping sharply.

3. It is important that both the hub spindle and the inside of the bearing bush are cleaned and degreased thoroughly. This is best done using a solvent cleaner containing 1.1.1. trichloroethane which is available from R.S Components Ltd. A small amount of this can be poured into the bearing bush, and with a finger placed over the hole, shaken thoroughly and poured out. To clean the spindle apply the solvent to a piece of lint-free cloth or kitchen paper. Wipe both spindle and the ball bearing with same and replace.

4. Fit the hub back into the bearing bush and spin to check that it is running freely. If its not, return complete assembly to Rega

5. If all is well, remove hub from bearing bush then tilt the bearing bush and place two drops of Comma Hypoid EP80, Castrol EPX80w/90 or Shell Spirax EP90, as recommended, in the position as illustrated. Do not use more than two drops.

6. With the bush still tilted, slide hub (without twisting) back into bearing bush. This method should ensure a release passage for trapped air.

7. Spin hub to evenly distribute oil and refit into turntable. Replace washer and tighten nut firmly, using an adjustable spanner or Rega tool, to approximately 5Nm, (a full explanation of this torque can be found on Explanation of torque)


IMPORTANT
It is essential that the recommended oil is used as any other lubricant will break down under pressure, causing wear. It is available from most car accessory shops or from Rega, free of charge. Degreasing: RS Components stock a solvent cleaner containing 1.1.1.
trichloroethane which is suitable for degreasing the hub/bearing assembly and lift lower assembly. Please note warning on solvent tin

Regards,
JaS

[Alec124c41]

You can use a small screwdriver with a drop of oil on it, to reach under the motor pulley, and touch the shaft where it comes out of the motor bearing. Sewing machine oil might be better, there.

Cheers,
Alec

[gdest]

Oiled the motor axis with two drops, didn't help.
Tell me please what is normal for sub-platter to move.
It's moving freely with finger push, but when I move the finger away it stops rapidly. Is it normal. I oiled the spindle before.

[Laudanum]

Oiled the motor axis with two drops, didn't help.
Tell me please what is normal for sub-platter to move.
It's moving freely with finger push, but when I move the finger away it stops rapidly. Is it normal. I oiled the spindle before.

The subplatter alone should spin freely but it wont spin for very long. Give it a spin with the platter in place. With the weight of the platter in place it should spin for a good while given a fairly light push. How long depends on how fast you get it started. But should spin for well over a minute with a fairly light push.

For the motor shaft, I use 3 in 1 brand electric motor oil. Any light electric motor oil should work. Just a drop or two placed on the shaft below the pulley and allowed to run down the shaft. I dont think WD40 would do the job. It's made to dry and leave a film. It's more of a protectant and not really an oil.

Also, you dont have to remove the bearing well. You can use a magnet to remove the bearing ball then give the bearing well and shaft a good cleaning with Isopropyl alcohol. 91% or higher would be best. You can use some cotton swabs to clean down into the well. I use the swabs that I have to clean my firearms as they dont shed fibers. But brand name cotton swabs should work fine.
I never understood what Regas "2 drops" meant. The size of the drops would depend on what you used as a dropper. But a good cleaning and getting some of the recommended weight oil down there should give you an indication of whether or not the bearing is ok.

[gdest]

Another thing.
The belt which I purchased came with alcohol wrap.
The belt is covered with talcum powder.
I didn't clean it. I think alcohol can harm to rubber. How do I need to clean the belt?
Thank you again for all your answers and support!

[Etnier]

As Laudanum and I have posted here recently, unadulaterated isopropyl alcohol is fine with rubber products. Presumably that's what's in this 'wrap' of yours. It was provided by Rega, right? You'll be fine.

But if you installed a belt covered with talcum powder (my white rega belt didn't come with these niceties, btw), you now have powder on the subplatter and pulley, and that could cause slipping. The alcohol wipe could be used to clean that up.

[gdest]

Cleaned the pulley and the belt with alcohol,
At the beginning there were no any sound, but after ten minutes noisy sounds came back: tic-tic...
Now I'm starting to think that the sound is coming from motor.
Motor is kicking the turntable.
Maybe it's suspension belt, but I cannot see the movement of the motor.
I'm stucked.....

[gdest]

Please help identify the problem.
After 30 minutes of smooth playing I hear strange sound like woodpecker,
and sound of record behaves like sinus (normal - slow - normal etc.)

[Laudanum]

Have you checked the main bearing? I may have missed it in this thread but you may want to check and clean the bearing ball, bearing well and spindle/axle and then lubricate. It's either motor related or bearing related. Nobody can figure it out for sure from long distance. All you can get are suggestions on what to try.

[gdest]

I cleaned the bearing well and spindle and then lubricated with 10w40 oil.
I didn't pull out the ball.
I think it's motor related, because it's happening after 30 minutes or more.
of listening.
If it was bearing related it would be happened immediately.
Do you think should I try to clean the ball? I don't think it will help.