Are you experiencing issues with your Audio Technica turntable belt?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many turntable owners encounter problems with their belts, whether it’s due to stretching or simply being off track.
But the good news is that fixing it is easier than you might think.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to get your turntable up and running smoothly again.
So grab your tools and let’s get started!
How To Fix Audio Technica Turntable Belt
Step 1: Check the Belt
The first step is to check if the belt is still routed around the gold-colored motor pulley and that it is taut. To do this, remove the black felt mat from the turntable and rotate the aluminum record platter by hand until one of the large rectangular openings is positioned at the upper left corner of the turntable (at about the 10 o’clock position). Look down into the opening and locate the gold-colored motor pulley. Make sure that the belt is around the pulley and that it is taut. The belt should not go around the white-colored post on the right side of the turntable (at about the 2 o’clock position). The belt goes around the gold-colored motor pulley and the rim on the underside of the platter only.
Step 2: Reinstall the Belt
If the belt is off the motor pulley, it is probably off the platter as well. To reinstall the belt, remove the platter from the turntable by placing your thumb and a finger in the two circular holes near the spindle and gently lifting the platter straight up. Turn the platter over so that its bottom is facing up, and reinstall the drive belt around the drive rim, which is located about an inch from the platter’s outer edge. Make sure there are no twists in the belt.
Step 3: Reset Automatic Cycle Mechanism
After verifying that the belt is still around the pulley (or after reinstalling it), follow these steps to reset your turntable’s automatic cycle mechanism:
– Unplug the AC power cord from its source.
– Press and release STOP button.
– While holding tonearm in tonearm rest with one hand, use your other hand to slowly rotate aluminum record platter in a clockwise direction for at least 10 full revolutions.
– Place a record on record platter.
– Plug AC power cord back into its source.
– Press and release START button.
Step 4: Test Your Turntable
Once you have completed all of these steps, test your turntable to ensure that it is working properly. If you are still experiencing issues with your Audio Technica turntable belt, it may be time to consider replacing it with a new one.
Identifying The Issue With Your Audio Technica Turntable Belt
If your Audio Technica turntable belt is not working properly, the issue may be related to the belt itself. The first step is to check if the belt is still routed around the gold-colored motor pulley and that it is taut. If the belt is not around the pulley or is loose, it needs to be reinstalled.
To reinstall the belt, remove the platter from the turntable and turn it over so that its bottom is facing up. Reinstall the drive belt around the drive rim, making sure there are no twists in the belt. After reinstalling the belt, follow the steps outlined above to reset your turntable’s automatic cycle mechanism.
If you have completed these steps and are still experiencing issues with your Audio Technica turntable belt, it may be time to consider replacing it with a new one. Signs that your turntable belt needs replacement include spinning at the wrong speed and producing poor sound quality. To replace the belt, you will need to find a compatible one, which can be found in your instruction manual or by contacting the manufacturer. Once you have obtained a new belt, follow the steps outlined above to replace it and get your turntable working properly again.
Tools You’ll Need To Fix Your Turntable Belt
To fix your Audio Technica turntable belt, you’ll need a few tools. First, you’ll need a screwdriver to remove the platter and access the belt. A small flathead screwdriver will work for most models. You’ll also need a replacement belt if the old one is damaged or worn out. Make sure to get the correct size and type of belt for your specific model.
Additionally, it’s recommended to have a stroboscopic disc or an app like RPM (iOS) to accurately measure the speed of your turntable. This will help you determine if the belt is causing speed issues and if adjustments need to be made.
Lastly, it’s important to have a level surface for your turntable before making any adjustments to the motor or belt. A small bubble level can be useful for ensuring that your turntable is level and stable during the repair process.
With these tools on hand, you should be able to fix your Audio Technica turntable belt and get back to enjoying your vinyl collection with accurate speed and sound quality.
Removing The Platter And Accessing The Belt
To access the belt, you will need to remove the platter from your Audio Technica turntable. Begin by unplugging the turntable’s power cord to prevent electric shocks. Next, remove the black felt mat from the turntable and gently lift the platter straight up by placing your thumb and finger in the two circular holes near the spindle.
Once you have removed the platter, turn it over so that the underside is facing up. You will notice a drive rim located about 1 3/4 inches in from the outer edge of the platter. This is where you will place the belt around the rim. Make sure that the belt is flat around the rim with no twists.
After you have placed the belt around the drive rim, flip the platter over and turn it until one of the rectangle holes is at the 10 o’clock position, exposing the brass drive pulley. Grasp the belt between your thumb and index finger and pull it toward and place it around the brass pulley, making sure not to twist the belt. Make sure that the belt is fully in the groove of the pulley.
Once you have placed the belt around the pulley, you can replace the platter by gently lowering it onto the center spindle. Turn the platter to ensure that it spins smoothly and that there are no issues with the belt.
By following these steps, you should be able to remove and access your Audio Technica turntable’s belt with ease. Remember to take your time and be gentle when handling your turntable’s components to avoid causing any damage or issues.
Inspecting The Belt For Damage Or Stretching
When inspecting the belt for damage or stretching, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it’s important to check the condition of the belt and see whether it is corroding or needs a replacement. Before the belt stops working completely, it will show you some warning signs that indicate its time is nearly up. Most notably, the record player spins at the wrong speed and produces poor sound quality.
To ascertain if your record player needs a belt replacement, always measure the depths of the groove with an inspection tool because the differences between a worn belt and a good belt can’t be seen or felt. The new materials used to make a stretch belt might crack or separate like older belts before the grooves are worn. Belt gauges are available from manufacturers and distributors, so check their websites or ask your distributor.
Poor alignment is the number one cause of belt noise and premature wear of stretch belts. If the pulleys have poor alignment, the belt will be worn on the edges and might look frayed. Alignment problems can stem from issues with shaft endplay in an A/C compressor, water pump or power steering pump. Alignment problems can also indicate a worn A/C clutch or a crankshaft pulley/dampener that is about to fail.
If you find that your belt is stretched out of shape, it might be possible to fix it without having to replace it entirely. One DIY solution to fixing a loose record player belt is by boiling a cup and a half of water and bringing it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn off the stove and let the belt soak in the hot water for about 5-8 minutes. After the hot water soak, your belt should shrink back down closer to its original size.
Adjusting The Belt Alignment And Positioning
If you find that the belt is not aligned or positioned correctly, you may need to adjust it. To do this, follow these steps:
– Remove the platter from the turntable by placing your thumb and a finger in the two circular holes near the spindle and gently lifting the platter straight up.
– Turn the platter over so that its bottom is facing up.
– Install the drive belt around the drive rim, which is located about an inch from the platter’s outer edge. Make sure there are no twists in the belt.
– Replace the platter onto the turntable and rotate it by hand until one of the large openings is located at the upper left corner of the turntable (at about the 10 o’clock position).
– Look down into the opening and locate the motor pulley. Grab the belt from the inside edge of the rectangular opening and pull it over and around the pulley.
– Place the black felt mat back on the aluminum record platter.
If you are still experiencing issues with your turntable, you may need to adjust the cartridge alignment using a two-point protractor. With the cartridge mounting hardware just loose enough to allow forward and backward movement of the cartridge in the headshell, position the cartridge within the headshell so that the stylus tip rests on the protractor’s outer dot (the dot farthest from the center spindle). Align the sides of the cartridge body to the lines on the grid which run parallel to its sides. Next, carefully move the cartridge forward or backward (adjust overhang) within the headshell so that the sides remain parallel while the front of the cartridge becomes parallel to the lines on the grid that run across the cartridge’s front. Once you’ve aligned the cartridge to the outer dot/grid, move the tonearm to the inner dot/grid and check alignment there. If alignment is off on inner dot/grid, adjust overhang by moving cartridge forward or backward until sides and front are parallel to their respective lines. Recheck alignment on outer dot/grid. You may have to go back and forth a few times to achieve same alignment at both grids. Once aligned, tighten mounting hardware until snug.
Replacing The Belt If Necessary
If you have checked the belt and it is damaged, stretched or broken, it may be time to replace it. To do this, you can use LP Gear’s free belt matching service. If your turntable is not listed on their website, all you need to do is send them an email with your existing belt’s type (flat, round or square), measurements specifically its length and width, and present working condition (e.g., stretched but still working or no longer working).
To measure your existing belt’s dimensions, follow these procedures:
– If you have the turntable belt, state the type of belt used (Flat, Round or Square). Pinch both ends of the belt and measure its length. Multiply the length by two (2x). If the turntable uses a Flat belt, measure its width (usually 0.187″). If the turntable uses a Round or Square belt, measure its thickness. Please include the make and model of the turntable with the belt’s measurements.
– If you do NOT have the turntable belt or it is shredded, state the type of belt that the turntable uses (Flat, Round or Square). Use a piece of string to tightly follow the belt’s path. Measure the length of the string. Measure the width between the rims of the motor pulley that the belt can pass through (usually 0.250 inch).
Once you have obtained a replacement belt, follow step 2 above to reinstall it onto your turntable. Make sure there are no twists in the belt.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your Audio Technica turntable is working properly and that you can continue to enjoy high-quality music reproduction for years to come.
