Hi, the tape player on my 5500 is running a bit slow. Where I'd normally unscrew the case and delve in, I don't really want to on this box unless it's absolutely necessary to do so. Can the speed be adjusted on this model? Has anyone done it? Does the motor have that little hole where you can fit in a mini screwdriver and adjust the speed? How hard is it to do, or get to?

Thanks.

I guess Panasonic started with electronic motors (the ones where speed can be adjusted) at about 1979, but continue using the motors with mechanical speed adjustment until 1981 in bottom lines. The one with mechanical speed adj cannot be adjusted until you dismantle the motor completely.
In some cases, pay attention .. you DON'T need to open the BBX. For example: in one of my Panasonics, the hole from the motor was reachable trough a hole in the battery door !!!
(Panasonic was clever there).
The ones with logic deck, motor hole is seen from the back of the BBX (suppose there was a hole on the back at the same position of the motor hole)
Ones with Mechanical deck, the hole of the motor is seen from the front of the BBX. Since no hole on the front (imagine that, it would be nasty) ... you will need to take the front appart.
If the motor hasn't any hole ... you will need to change the motor and adjust it. It isn't very hard

Thanks for the reply, SUCCESS. I did actually have a good look around the box before I posted that message, because I'm sure one of my other boxes has a speed adjustment accessible from the outside. I couldn't find anything. I'll have a look in the battery compartment and see if I can find anything in there. If not, I guess I'll just have to open it up and hope there's a hole in the motor! Thanks for the suggestions.

The 5500 has soft-touch mecha ?.
Anyway, something you most love from a Panasonic is that you have easy access to the mecha taking the front appart. And only 4 or five screws to release the mecha. But only in logic deck probably you will need to take the mecha apart. On mechanical deck, hole is on the front, you can adjust speed while tape is running and mecha is on it's place.
Note that some boxes (many JVC's) need to be full dismantled, and unsolder many wires to take the mecha appart. And how adjust the speed with the box made spares ? ... I still remeber my 838, I took a month to get it running again !!

Easy fix, don't worry.