Thorens TD 160B Inner platter stuck

[Bob in STL]

Hello All,

I am pleased to say I just received a TD -160B with SME 3009 Series II (improved) tone arm and a Shure M97Xe cartridge (less than 30 hours on the cartridge).

I won it on ebay. It appears to be well packed and looks like a clean unit that can operat out of the box. I have been studying everything I can on the Thorens websites and in the various manuals.

After I loosened the transport screws I was amazed by the spring suspension. I never owned a belt drive or anything like this before. I don't want to touch the spring system for awhile but before I play this unit I want to clean it , re-lube the spindle bushing, clean the drive pully, replace the belt, and set up the arm properly.

My problem is I cannot remove the small inner platter. I lift it up maybe 1/2 inch and then it hits a stop. Upon inspection there are two metal posts (with prongs) under the platter that are preventing removal. The prongs catch on a plastic plate that appears to be connected to or stuck to the spindle shaft. This arrangement does not look like a "normal" TD 160. The pictures I have seen indicate that the inner platter lifts straight out of the bushing and oil well.

Anyone know what is happening here?

Yes the motor turns, the belt appears to be loose and in ned of replacement. It might be rubbing on the chasis or the speed selector guide. The platter turns quietly at 33 rpm setting.

I am lost?
Thanks for your help.

Bob

[G Doggett]

If you remove the bottom board you will see that the bracket preventing the subplatter being removed is secured to the subchassis by a single screw.
Remove this screw and the bracket will move out of the way.
Cheers
Graham.
(Fellow Thorens TD160 owner and tweaker).

[Bob in STL]

I removed the bottom and found the screw hold that holds the bracket in place.

Good news - it is removed and the inner platter spindle came out.

Bad news - the well is dry. I am happy i decided to take this apart before playing it any further.

From what I can see the spindle is fine. It looks straight with no bends or marring.

Here are some pics. The plastic ring on the spindle is cracked but securely on. I looked all over "the analog dept" web site and do not see this plastic ring any where?

Should I remove these two parts for good?

Will isopropyl work for cleaning the spindle shaft, the oil well, and the drive pulley?

What kind of oil do I need to get? I have light machine oil for sewing machines. Is something else a better choice?

I will not reinstall the inner platter into the bearing well until it is lubed.

Thanks again, Bob

[macshifi]

That's interesting. I've had a TD 165 C for about 37 years and I've never seen anything like your TD 160 having an inner platter lock, my 165's inner platter just lifts off without effort, and doesn't look anything like yours.

Mark

[G Doggett]

Hi Bob
I would not refit the securing bracket, it's just a safety device to prevent the platter falling out in the event of the turntable being inverted. It makes future servicing of the bearing difficult.
You will receive numerous recommendations as to the correct oil to use, but I use a thin machine oil such as 3 in 1 or Singer Sewing Machine Oil.
The only reason that I know to use a higher viscosity oil is to compensate for bearing wear and play. If the bearing is still in good condition and little or no bearing play can be detected stick with the thin oil.
I like to see plenty of oil around the bearing and shaft so after cleaning out with isopropyl and cotton buds, I put about 1/4 inch of oil in the bottom of the housing, place a paper towel around the bearing housing, and then lower the shaft carefully into the bearing. The shaft should very slowly drop down over several minutes.Spinning the platter by hand seems to help this slow process.
The surplus displaced oil will be soaked up by the towel ( well most of it !).
After you are sure the shaft has settled fully into place give ia few more spins and then remove it again to clean up the mess.
When everything is all cleaned up refit the shaft into the bearing. It shouldn't need this attention again for years.
Cheers
Graham.

[Bob in STL]

Thank you Graham. I have Singer sewing machine oil. I will try that as I suspect the bearing to be in good shape. While I am concerned that the well was dry the bearing looks clean, straight, with no marrs or groves. I did spin the turntable for a brief minute yesterday and it was quiet. With both platters on I heard nothing and I had my ear close to the bearing.

I will permanently remove the bracket and I might as well remove the plastic ring too. It is cracked and it serves no purpose.

Any recommendations on where to get belts?

thanks, Bob

[G Doggett]

On your side of the pond I would suggest Turntable Basics.
Their belt listed as FM21.2 is pretty close to the original Thorens specs and is only $10.
I have ordered belts from LPGear in the past and found them to be too short which puts too much strain on the motor bearings and pulls the suspension off centre.
Graham.

[alternativeroute]

I would say; get yourself one of Joel's kits: http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOEL-S-KIT-THOR ... 591wt_1396

[sturgus]

Bob, try these guys. I am sure ZAW has a few belts. I was there a few months ago and he had 3 Thorens tables for sale, not mention another 10 or 12 tables for sale.
http://alphatechstl.com/home.nxg
Sturgus

[Bob in STL]

Bob, try these guys. I am sure ZAW has a few belts. I was there a few months ago and he had 3 Thorens tables for sale, not mention another 10 or 12 tables for sale.
http://alphatechstl.com/home.nxg
Sturgus

Hello Sturgus,

I bought Joel's Kit from ebay. He is a former Thorens employee. He has already emailed me twice since the purchase to provide information. I am sure his oil and belt products are going to work out fine fo me. I will check that place out. There is lots about St. Louis audio that I do not know. I am always looking for used gear that can improve my system.

Thank you, Bob

[JonnyCJ]

Joel's kit will sort you out for the bearing and belt

[josephazannieri]

Yo Bob in STL:

You should look at your bearing and be sure that it is smooth, You might have to shine it up a little to smooth it out. Joel Boutreux, (joel td) the guy who used to work for Thorens, sells a kit for the TD 150 and the TD 160 for about $25.00 on Ebay, and he is very helpful. Kit contains the proper belt, and the proper belt is critical and not easy to get. Too many of the ones on Ebay are too short and too tight. I used one kit and did both my kid sister's TD 160 (hers needed the belt) and my TD 150. Plenty of lube and bearing cleaner, and I was sure that the lube was right. Made both the turntables spin like crazy. You can use 3 in 1 electric motor oil also, just to fill it, but don't overfill, or you will not be able to get the spindle fully into the bearing well. It will hang up on the the oil and won't go all the way in until you drain some oil out. Given the choice, I'd take Joel's lube kit any day. But if bearing is dry, the 3 in 1 oil beats running it dry.

Yout TD-160 is somewhat unusual, having that lock on the turntable. It may be a late one, where the lock was added as an improvement near end of production.

Joel's kit has been mentioned by others, and it worked fine for me.

And good luck from the old follower,

Joe Z.

[Bob in STL]

Yo Bob in STL:

You should look at your bearing and be sure that it is smooth, You might have to shine it up a little to smooth it out. Joel Boutreux, (joel td) the guy who used to work for Thorens, sells a kit for the TD 150 and the TD 160 for about $25.00 on Ebay, and he is very helpful. Kit contains the proper belt, and the proper belt is critical and not easy to get. Too many of the ones on Ebay are too short and too tight. I used one kit and did both my kid sister's TD 160 (hers needed the belt) and my TD 150. Plenty of lube and bearing cleaner, and I was sure that the lube was right. Made both the turntables spin like crazy. You can use 3 in 1 electric motor oil also, just to fill it, but don't overfill, or you will not be able to get the spindle fully into the bearing well. It will hang up on the the oil and won't go all the way in until you drain some oil out. Given the choice, I'd take Joel's lube kit any day. But if bearing is dry, the 3 in 1 oil beats running it dry.

Yout TD-160 is somewhat unusual, having that lock on the turntable. It may be a late one, where the lock was added as an improvement near end of production.

Joel's kit has been mentioned by others, and it worked fine for me.

And good luck from the old follower,

Joe Z.

Thank Joe Z.

Yes, I have ordered the kit from Joel and still waiting to recieve it.

I am concerned that the bearing well was dry but the bearing looks good. I will polish and clean it up. Can't wait to install Joels kit, set up the 3009 tonearm and hear this thing.

I will re-post with picture once I get it cleaned up and running.

Bob