1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Trying to repair a WM-D3 (TC-D3 in UK)

Discussion in 'Tech talk' started by wm_dan, Sep 21, 2017.

  1. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    Hi guys

    I won this on eBay for £17. It was advertised as not working. Mainly because it was in pause..

    It did play a tape and sound great, but Rewind didn't work, but then after 10 mins it chewed up a tape. Not sure if that was anything to do with the rewind gear crack or just a dirty pinch roller.

    So it needs a new DD gear which I've ordered, it also needs a counter belt which i've also ordered.

    The door needs a good slam to stay closed, I think I can fix this

    The rewind gear - which also drives the counter - has cracked, because it's cracked it expanded and won't mesh properly with it's drive gear.
    It was getting stuck.
    I removed it and super glued it really carefully (without the shaft in place so it shrunk back to its correct size) but I think the glue has still expanded it slightly and it still stuggles to mesh when trying to move the gear with the bigger gear using a light touch it gets stuck..

    At this stage I think this may be a right off but ill have to let you know when its back together

    I've repaired a DD before but not a recording one. This once was a really PIA due to the extra record mechanism parts in the way.

    I guess if it does end up a right off I will still have a new DD gear for next time I find a cheap one.

    Here are some pictures.

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Wish me luck !
     
  2. Helaba

    Helaba Active Member

    Messages:
    355
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Belgium
    Very good luck!!
     
    wm_dan likes this.
  3. doublecee

    doublecee Active Member

    Messages:
    378
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Earth
    Yeah, may the force be with you on that one.....
     
  4. 16s

    16s Member

    Messages:
    99
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK
    Just don't open your windows when it's windy outside otherwise it's gonna be a super guessing game
     
  5. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    Haha since moved everything and re labeled everything whilst waiting for spares
     
  6. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

    Messages:
    375
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    London
    I'd advise putting any small parts/screws in empty ice trays, it's what I usually do.
     
  7. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    With help of another member, I managed to get a tiny rewind gear that meshes correctly and doesn't jam but it's still cracked

    I've ordered a 2.05 drill to help remove the stress of the metal shaft

    Not really sure what glue to use, super glue seemed pretty useless on nylon
     
  8. jacobsteel

    jacobsteel New Member

    Messages:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Gothenburg, Sweden
    nice pictures! thank you --- and best of luck! keep us posted.

    As for tiny screws, I bought a cheap magnet board on Ebay (one of those with a grid on them), works nicely and the magnet holds tiny screws in place.
     
  9. Will

    Will New Member

    Messages:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Netherlands
    Great pictures! Thank you. This'll save me a lot of time reassembling my D3.

    Your obviousy putting a lot of Love in this repair. :D
     
  10. T-ster

    T-ster Moderator Staff Member S2G Supporter

    Messages:
    1,455
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    England
    Yeah even if this doesn't work you have documented a process which may help hundreds of people down the line :thumbup:
     
  11. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    Thanks so much for the encouragement, it really does help.........

    Today I made a bit more progress regarding the rewind gear

    I must thank forum members; mihokm, TooCool4 and A.N.T for help and advise.. I am not an electronics engineer or a mechanical engineer, so without their help this walkman would most definitely end up a paper weight

    I had to make a plastic ring with 3.4 mm hole.. to re-inforce the gear.

    Just by pot luck I found some almost perfect rings in old Technics cd player mechanisms.

    Still waiting for a 2.05mm drill bit, But with the plastic ring in place and the shaft only pushed in 2-3mm for testing, the gear no longer jams :D :D

    I was kindly sent a spare mechanism by TooCool4, but it then became obivous someone has been inside my D3 before... So I am still not out of the woods yet


    If anyone would like me to make and send them the plastic ring with the 3.4mm hole I can do this and send to you free of charge.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    16s likes this.
  12. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    UPDATE:

    Here I have pics and video of working mechanism.

    I am still waiting for a 2.05 mm drill bit to finish the rewind gear repair

    This is with a semi-repaired REWIND gear, 95% ok, but will repair my other spare ASAP, that repair should be 100% ok

    So I am confident the mechanism is actually ok, despite been previously tinkered with.

    However the circuit board has been folded and unfolded away from the mechanism about 10 times now. So I am worried I've possibly broken a wire. Will only know onces the board is screwed back down. I think I can probably find and fix a broken wire, if its broken at all.

    ALSO - Anyone who can get that tiny spring (on the black lever which lifts the head and roller) by themselves should be a brain surgeon! Same with washer part number 114 (d3 record mech only!) My GF had to help me as I needed 3 hands!





    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Even if my walkman has other electrical issues and can no longer be used I hope my post will help other people as I have received plenty of help and advise myself

    Regards
     
  13. Command8

    Command8 Active Member

    Messages:
    375
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    London
    Wow that is some impressive work.
    Waaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy beyond my capabilities... I can only hope to attain your skill level
    I salute you (0_0)7
     
  14. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    Thank you but I cannot accept your kind words because I followed guides and advise mainly from Marian - the man is a genius
     
  15. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    So the D3 is now back together and appears to be working 100%. I have played both sides of a 90 min tape without any issues at all.

    It even records really well. It's obviously not as good as my D6C on recording or Playback but, I have a DD33, and really wouldn't say there is any difference on playback... but I heard the DD33 is not even high end.

    Anyway I digress... Tips for anyone taking apart a D3...

    Put some sticky tape over the pause button and the VU/Battery switch !!! Because these plastic switches slide about with 0 pressure, I almost snapped my VU switch off :(

    Usual tips, take your time and do not force anything

    Read Marians DD gear repair and preventive maintenance on here

    Here is a vid of it. The rewind and FF are sometimes squeaky - but so is my DD33 is also the same (ONLY WITH A TAPE IN)

     
    freesofia, Command8 and 16s like this.
  16. 16s

    16s Member

    Messages:
    99
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK
    1984:thumbsup:
     
  17. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    The door closing issue was solved by

    1. Stretch the door latch spring a bit to tighten the catch

    2. The door actually needs bending in slightly at the bottom where it folds over 90 degrees. I taped up the bottom side where the 2 screws are to protect it
    Then got an adjustable spanner and very carefully and slightly bent it in the bottom smallest part so it is now a smaller angle then 90 degrees

    My door closes and holds good with or without a cassette inside
     
  18. mihokm

    mihokm Active Member

    Messages:
    89
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    Slovakia
    Excellent work.
    I still need to update manual with WM-D3 specific instructions. It's plan for version 2.
    Does anyone know why this door closing issue happens so often with D3?
     
  19. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    it probably just gets strained from been open and closed a lot
     
  20. wm_dan

    wm_dan Member

    Messages:
    92
    Trophy Points:
    8
    Location:
    UK Yorkshire
    Note to self... if a screw previously had loctite on it from Sony.... Re-apply god damn new loctite!!! level 10 n00b error!!
    My take up real gear came loose!!
     

Share This Page