Thorens kits - How does Joel know?

[Bob in STL]

I just bought a TD 160B on ebay. It looks good and has a SME 3009 series II improved arm.

Upon inspection the belt needs replacing, the bearing well is dry, the pully needs cleaning, and I am sure the motor can use some oil. Surprisingly the motor runs quietly, no noise or ticks, and it pulls the platter at 33 rpm with no noise. Now that I know the bearing well is dry it will not get turned on again until everything that can be oiled is oiled.

I am trying to find authentic and top quality parts to give this turntable the attention it deserves.

I am cleaning it up and reading everything I can on this turntable. I found Joel's maintenance manual and he has a kit on ebay with oil and a belt. I am ready to purchase it but have one important question to get clear on.

How does Joel know what exact turntable I have? His kit looks like "one size fits all" as advertised on ebay. I found a site that said the 160 was made with 3 different belt sizes? If anyone has worked with Joe before can they tell me if he sends a email or something to get the details.

Thank you, Bob

[bubba45]

Which site was it?

I've owned, & still own a couple of the following - TD150 MKII, TD160 MKI, TD160B MkII, TD165, TD166 MKII & MkIV, 3 X TD125 MKII.
I am pretty sure that they all have the same diameter sub-platter and motor pulley and I'm sure I used the same sized belt on all of them and actually just swapped between them with no problems. I think essentially Thorens used the same dimensions for most of their 'vintage' turntables like the ones above regardless of model.

[rkay5]

Hi,
I have used Joel tools, oil and the belts he sells he knows thorens as he worked for them for many years.

[Bob in STL]

Which site was it?

I've owned, & still own a couple of the following - TD150 MKII, TD160 MKI, TD160B MkII, TD165, TD166 MKII & MkIV, 3 X TD125 MKII.
I am pretty sure that they all have the same diameter sub-platter and motor pulley and I'm sure I used the same sized belt on all of them and actually just swapped between them with no problems. I think essentially Thorens used the same dimensions for most of their 'vintage' turntables like the ones above regardless of model.

Here is the site that shows three different belts for the 160.

http://www.turntablebasics.com/belts/thorens.html

So what confuses me is how does Joel know which belt to put in his package? When I click on eBay to make the purchase it goes straight to "confirm purchase" without prompting as to which turntable model? That is why I ask, does he send an email to his customers to find this out?

[Terry Robinson]

Hello, Bob:

I just had a look at the listing and I noticed, as with other eBay listings you can sign in and ask the seller a question. Why not ask about the belt for your Thorens? I have asked sellers questions when the listing does not make everything clear and have always managed to get a good, and polite reply.

Cheers,

Terry.

[Bob in STL]

Hello, Bob:

I just had a look at the listing and I noticed, as with other eBay listings you can sign in and ask the seller a question. Why not ask about the belt for your Thorens? I have asked sellers questions when the listing does not make everything clear and have always managed to get a good, and polite reply.

Cheers,

Terry.

Yes. I asked him and he said his will work 100%.

I guess I will give it a shot.

[rkay5]

Don't use the belts from http://www.turntablebasics.com/belts/thorens.html as they are to tight the belts for TD160's are all the same as are the TD150,TD166mkII and so on.The best belts are Joel's or OME thorens.That is all.

[Bob in STL]

This clarifies it for me. There is so much information out there that it takes time to sort it all out.

I just bought Joel's Kit on eBay. I won't get it until the April 24 - May 6 timeframe.

Lots to work on until then and I cannot turn my 160 on until the motor and bearing are oiled and the other parts are properly cleaned.

Thanks to all for your help.

Cheers, Bob

[JonnyCJ]

I used one of Joel's kits on my 160B Mk II and it cleared up my bearing noise 100%

You get two syringes of bearing oil as well, very handy when you do a lot of turntable tweaking and are constantly removing the sub chassis.

The price is peanuts compared to some of the prices people charge.

[Bob in STL]

I used one of Joel's kits on my 160B Mk II and it cleared up my bearing noise 100%

You get two syringes of bearing oil as well, very handy when you do a lot of turntable tweaking and are constantly removing the sub chassis.

The price is peanuts compared to some of the prices people charge.

Does the kit have oil for the actual motor?

The motor pully needs cleaning and I will remove it for that. I was wondering if Joel's kit has oil for the motor as well as the bearing.

[vintagelubbr]

To the OP, did you ever receive the belt? How was the fit? I'm planning to order from him also but I am afraid his belts may be to tight and stress the bearing.

[markcass]

To the OP, did you ever receive the belt? How was the fit? I'm planning to order from him also but I am afraid his belts may be to tight and stress the bearing.

Hi

I have Joel's Kit for the TD160 etc, and find the belt an ideal fit on a TD160/II. That's not too surprising, as Joel's own notes on Thorens decks emphasise the importance of not having the belt too tight to avoid stress on bearing and motor. My belt is a bit tighter than a (pretty old and much-used) Thorens-branded belt, but that was really far too loose, making start-up very slow.

To Bob in STL: there is a phial of motor bearing oil as well as two phials of oil for the main bearing.

HTH

Mark

[Bob in STL]

To the OP, did you ever receive the belt? How was the fit? I'm planning to order from him also but I am afraid his belts may be to tight and stress the bearing.

Yes, I did receive my belt and oil from Joel. You get motor oil, bearing oil, cleaning fluid and a belt that is proper for the job.


My table runs perfectly quiet. I do not think it is too tight at all. I have been running the table constantly for about a month with no problems.