I'm posting here link to the document that was published on the old s2g site. I think it can be useful for many people. Here it is: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14PnYjTCqcdfYygo_09DuoiJeLA1SmGPk/view?usp=sharing
@mihokm Great post, Thank You! I have a word of caution for those who decide to buy Panasonic as their first Walkman repair effort. Until Marian makes new pinchrollers available, double-check that they are in good condition. If Panasonic was left in Play position, pinchroller is ruined. In my case of RQ-SX15 one pinchroller had 0.5mm of its width shaved-off. Ordering RQ-S15 as a donor I have learned that pinchrollers are slightly different and not interchangeable between RQ-SX and RQ-S models, and number 15 is pretty much meaningless. I downloaded a few dozen photos of Panasonic heads and got even more confused as to which models have interchangeable pinchrollers.
Luckily, Panasonic used only two versions of mechanics - one for RQ-S models and early RQ-SX models, the other one for later RQ-SX models. I need to produce two pinch rollers to cover all. The pinch roller core is not simple, it has step-hole inside. I'm not sure if my producer will be able to make them. I'm afraid it will be problem. But i will try to find solution Currently I'm finishing second version of pinch rollers for Sony walkmans. They should be ready by the end of this month.
@mihokm thanks for the tip! I guess instead of buying more dead Panasonics I will wait for new pinchrollers I think pinchroller cores should not be a problem, they stay intact and it is pretty easy to re-use them.
Thanks for the guide, Marian. The original post is here: http://www.stereo2go.com/topic/panasonic-rq-s-series-walkmans-step-by-step-repair-guide.htm