Hello. Advice on Sony WM DC2 Center Gear replacement please?

Hi

Would appreciate some advice if possible?

I've found my old Sony DC2 in the loft and have followed a really good guide on this site to strip it down. I've found that the center gear is cracked (see photo), and now I need to purchase a replacement (I'm in the UK). Can anyone suggest a good option please, preferably within the UK? I've seen a few different types:

1. a 2 part plastic sandwich with 6 screws
2. a 2 part stainless steel version of the above
3. a 1 part black plastic version, but I have no idea how this would fit over the metal center disc

Would anyone know which type is best, and where to purchase in UK?

Thanks in advance =)

 

Welcome to Stereo2go Rog McDonnell

On this very site if you look on the home page in the bottom righthand corner click the link to Fix Your Audio and he has the correct kit you need.

Fix Your Audio

 

Perfect, thanks, have ordered one =)

 

Let's us know how everything turned out once it's all put to together.

 

Thanks, will do. Slightly concerned that I won’t remember exactly how it all goes back together . But I’ve been as organised as I can, so fingers crossed.

 

Hi

I’ve hit a couple of issues. Hopefully it’s okay to post here? This was the only forum it would let me post in as a newbie.

First rookie problem. The tiny hook spring from the slider flew off when I was attempting to teeezer it back it place I know Does anyone know where I can get a replacement one, or what size it was so I can look on eBay?

Second issue may be more tricky. The FF button isn’t clicking when I press it. RW, play, stop are fine. But FF doesn’t click, even with more force than should be necessary. I’ve swapped over the FF and RW buttons just is case but same result. The centre gear gets pushed down, but no click. Does anyone know what might be causing it? Photo attached, and I’ll attempt a video too.

Thanks
Rog

 

Have I installed the small gear under the take-up gear assembly the right way up?

 

From what I can see, on FF, the button is supposed to push down the centre gear assembly, enough for the large cog in the centre gear to locate onto the small cog of the take-up gear. But when I push the button, the centre gear assembly doesn’t push low enough. Like something is stopping it physically, but I can’t see anything obvious.

 

Yes, it is installed correctly.

The spring I'm not sure you will find one that thin on ebay, it's a very fine wire diameter one. I don't know its dimensions. Usually you will need to order more than one of such springs until you get the correct one, as measurements won't be perfect.

The second problem I believe may be caused by stuck auto-stop levers. They should be cleaned regardless. Link here: https://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/sony-dd-series-play-ff-rew-buttons-not-latching.7524/

 

Thanks for the reply

I took it all apart again and worked out that weirdly my two problems were linked. When I lifted off the centre gear, I found the missing spring stuck below it When the spring flew off, rather than fly across the room as I thought, it must have fired itself under the centre gear! And that was causing the FF to fail as the gear couldn’t drop fully. Quite a relief.

It’s all back together now (managed to get that spring on somehow) and all functions seem to work mechanically. Will solder back up in the morning and try it with some power.

Will let you know how it goes!

Thanks =)

 

Hi

All assembled and appears to be working!!

One last thing that’s not quite right though - the door catch is a little loose, which I think is because the latch spring isn’t strong enough. The nearest replacement spring I’ve found on ebay is:

0.2mm wire diameter
1.5mm outer diameter
10mm length

Has anyone replaced this spring and if so, does that look about right?

Thanks =)

 

Sorry, one other issue I’ve just found.

PB is fine.
FF is fine with a faint clicking, once a second.
RW works for around 3 seconds then clicks off. Then when I press play at this point, the play button clicks back up, and again a second time, and then it plays fine the 3rd time.

I’m guessing the RW is hitting some point on the centre wheel that it doesn’t like? Or another cog? And then the 3 attempts at PB are needed to get it past this point?

Can anyone advise me on what to check please?

Thanks
Rog

 

About the latch, I have seen DD units on which the latch was a bit worn (both the pastic part and the hook on the door).
If the latch has any play, you can simply elongate the spring you don't need to replace with stronger one and I don't advice it either as a stronger one will wear the latch faster.
For reference I will leave a link with a 3D printed latch, in case anyone needs one (think it's sold by a forum member): https://www.shapeways.com/product/SHKGBEF2Y/sony-dd-walkman-cassette-door-knob?optionId=175462952

In regard to FF/REW please check that the black auto-stop lever (plastic one beneath the center gear) in inserted inside the slot on the plastic slider.

 

Hi Valentin

Thank you so much. You were spot on with the FF issue. I’d missed the black auto stop lever fitting into the slider. Even though the PDF guide for dummies has a photo explicitly telling me to do it =(

So, I fixed that, put it back together and it works perfectly =) I even found an old mix tape from 1989 to test it out with in the loft!

Thanks for the catch advice too. As you mentioned, I think my issue may be that the hook on the door has bent out slightly. I’ve attached a photo. I’m very hesitant to try to bend it back, as I don’t want to put pressure on the door and the window. Any thoughts?

I also found a couple of things that may be useful to others with a DC2. I found putting the back cover on really tricky. But doing these 2 things did help…

1. Pressing down the RW button before fitting the cover, to give it a bit more wiggle room
2. Putting the switches into Dolby C and NORM position

Thanks again =)

 

Latch door hook bent…

 

Very good advice with the REW, EQ and Dolby buttons. Pressing the REW button is more important during disassembly as that's the point where it's more likely to break. But it should be done on re-assembly as well.
I have a tutorial with pictures in regard to dis-assembly and re-assembly of those unit which will be linked here for reference: https://stereo2go.com/forums/threads/sony-wm-dd-series-disassembly-tutorial.7627/#post-56820

The door hook doesn't look to be a problem to me, although it's not very clear from the picture. Usually the plastic part wears a lot quicker than the metal.
What can be done is slightly file the plastic latch, so it goes further towards the closed position in order to compensate for the wear.
However please note that if the door does not open on its own, the latch is working correctly and you can leave it alone. Some small up/down movement on the door is present on most of these units.

I also recommend putting a tiny bit of grease on the friction part of the latch in order to prolong its life.

 

Thanks for that. The door does stay closed, it’s just a little loose, so as you say, maybe it’s to be expected. I’ll leave it as it is.

One last issue if that’s ok? All functions are fine without a tape. With a tape, PB is fine, but RW and FF can be noisy, and you can see the spindles occasionally stopping and starting. It’s particularly bad rewinding near the beginning of a tape and forwarding towards the end. I tried a few tapes and they’re all quite similar. Any idea what I could check for?

Thanks.

 

You need to bend the center gear arm as indicated in the tutorial until the gear slips no more.
Alternatively, you can add a very small piece of electrical tape (cloth type) over the center gear arm, so the button pushes the gear further down.
1 or 2 pieces of tape will solve the problem. After finding out the correct thickness you can glue the tape with super glue on the center gear arm.

I preffer the second option as for bending the gear arm you need to take it out every time. With tape, you just take the buttons out.

You should check the device upside down as well.

 

Thanks Valentin, that's great. Will take it apart when I get some time and check this =)

 

Hi Valentin

I stripped it down again and took the opportunity to sand off the top surface of the new centre gear, following your tutorial, as I was getting some noise. That seems to have worked nicely and it’s much quieter now.

Afterwards I experimented with adding tape on the gear arm and RW is now perfect, with or without a tape.

But FF has got a lot worse since the center gear has been adjusted. Without a tape it’s fine, but with a tape, the center gear keeps slipping on the small gear of the take-up gear assembly. Photo attached. I’m thinking that maybe this gear needs replacing now?

Do you know if this gear is available to purchase? I had a look on fixyouraudio.com but couldn’t seem to find the right one.

Any advice on where to find one would be appreciated. Or alternative solutions.

Thanks =)