How to Lubricate the Technics SL-D3 or Any Direct Drive Turntable / Record Player

This is an instructional video on how to lubricate the Technics SL-D3 Turntable. This may be similar on how to lubricate many direct drive turntables so I hope it helps! See your turntable manual to determine if you are required to lubricate the bearing. If you do not have your manual, try searching here:
www.vinylengin...
Songs in this Video:
Outro Sample From:
Phish Funk - Strum (Capture My Heart)
freemusicarchi....
Recording Device - Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
Check out my other videos & find me on social media!
Facebook - / stillspinning3
Twitter - stillspinning3
Instagram - stillspinning3
Xbox Gamertag - stillspinng3

[@willywonka3050]

Thanks for this guide. My SL-D303 appears to have been unlubricated and unmaintained since being made in the early 80s, yet it still functions well - except for a wow issue at around 0.2%. I'm hoping lubrication will help.

[@StillSpinning3]

You’re welcome!

[@roylcraft]

DON"T forget the thrust pad. It has been running D-R-Y for nearly 50 years! Remove the platter, secure the arm and turn the table over on it's dust cover. Two screws hold the thrust bearing in place.

[@wl4986]

Thanks to this video, I just did my SL-D3! Thanks for making this video!

[@StillSpinning3]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@allstar930]

Dude, great job. Super easy to follow tutorial. I just hooked mine up while this video played in the background.

[@StillSpinning3]

Thanks! Glad it helped you out.

[@treker1000]

I've owned a Technics SL-D2 Turntable for around 33 years and it still works and sounds just as perfectly as the day I got it. They are also still rated 4.8 out of 5 by many audio professionals. I've been lubricating mine in a very similar way for many years. Very good video. I only have one negative comment. Teckneeks? Technics is pronounced Teckniks and always has been. Unlike the technique you used to lubricate it.

[@thebrokenorder]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnyQhXdqpb-qfZo

[@chipper2462]

The Japanese say "Tekeneeksa"....Technics is an english translation of a Japanese word...Not every word is pronounced phonetically as seen...I've been around 55 years and I've only known one person to pronounce it teckniks.

[@vikingcove]

If you were to listen to Technics commercials you would disagree with your own comment. tek NEEKS.

[@northlake732]

Thanks for the video, I needed to know how you lift the platter.

[@zogzog1063]

Oil: use a good quality thick motor oil. You use a thick oil so that it does not run down the shaft too quickly. Technique: Your technique is just excellent. Servicing: Do this every second lube. Take out the bearing totally. Remove the Shaft from the Sleeve (these are known as 'sleeve bearings'. Clean the spindle and the shaft using cotton buds and some fresh oil. Also clean the thrustpad (the little black thing). Then polish the base of the spindle using a drill (place the spindle in the drill) and autosol (or equivalent). If your equipment is good (ie cartridge, amplification, and speakers) then the difference will be audible.

[@MARTIN201199]

Is there any video around youtube showing this procedure?

[@zogzog1063]

@@MARTIN201199 Search for ViperFrank. Not the slickest presentations but he knows what he is doing. Another little tip (if you have one from the SL12xx series) is to get an aftermarket thrustpad from Kabusa.

[@marconiederhausen3625]

Thanks mate for that quick guide!

[@randysookoo444]

Thanks for the video, I have 1210s. Do you have a video on how to lubricate the pitch sliders and the tone arm lever?

[@StillSpinning3]

Sorry I don’t. Let me do some research!

[@djx-ray1876]

With regards to the pitch , you have to remove it from the PCB . You have to remove the base of the turntable. It needs to be desoldered . Once inside the slider you have to clean the brushes and regrease the tracks underneath. It's easier to just buy a new slider they aren't expensive.

[@randysookoo444]

@@djx-ray1876 Thanks, yeah., I won't mess with de-soldering the base from the main board. The pitch works so, I won't mess with it., Thanks for the reply!

[@djx-ray1876]

@@randysookoo444 No probs mate - just to add though, it isn't on the main board it's a separate PCB at the bottom and easy to desolder and fit a new one . You can buy a pitch slider already fitted on a PCB but it's much more expensive . Anyway , glad your pitch is ok but if it starts feeling scratchy and not as smooth (depending on age) it's a simple fix 👍

[@randysookoo444]

@@djx-ray1876 Ok, thanks again for the help! My 1210s are more than 20 years old but, the pitch sliders are okay., I’ll be sure to reach out if they become a problem. Thanks again for the help!

[@ronniepirtlejr2606]

Every 6 months or year or 2 years, it's not going to hurt it! And any high-quality thin oil will work. Sewing machine oil for instance.

[@MARTIN201199]

Sewing machine oil would work? Are you sure?

[@420_Logan]

@@MARTIN201199 yup thats what I use, make sure its a good 3 in 1

[@vikingcove]

@@420_LoganI've found 3in1 brand oil gets gummy. I'd use sewing machine oil, Hoppes gun oil, or Sturmey Archer bicycle hub oil instead.

[@arboneth2504]

man, thanks so much for that video!! that helped me a lot!

[@StillSpinning3]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@jrockofages5413]

My SL-1300 has all of a sudden got a howling rumble issue. Never before... and I've owned it since 1975, and I can't remember ever lubricating yet. Hopeful that this is part of the answer

[@djsoulfilter]

Did this work for your turntable?

[@jrockofages5413]

@@djsoulfilter No. My turntable was sitting on a metal file cabinet, with a 16x16 concrete paver on top and a foam layer on that, with cork isolation feet under the turntable. Still had resonance issues. I finally built a wood frame around the file cabinet with no contact to the file cabinet. Used the same concrete paver and cork feet.So much better. My issue is the small space I am in and the proximity of the speakers to the turntable. There is a volume level that can still create issues. I have accepted that the issue is there to protect my hearing. : )

[@arturthelioncub9376]

ne faudrait-il pas démonter l'axe pour éviter de mélanger les huiles ?

[@andykelly7321]

Hey, just a reminder: Don't forget to oil your spindle again this Monday. :)

[@StillSpinning3]

Andy you are a treasure.

[@ivangomes9030]

Lubrifiquei com óleo sintético 5W40 de carro, umas 4 gotas e ficou perfeito.

[@StillSpinning3]

That works! I probably overpaid for what used but it works lol.

[@garethfoster9961]

Good turntable. It got the same direct drive motor as the sl1200....

[@StillSpinning3]

I've had it 13 years and it is great.

[@kohosalmon3637]

thank's a lot I got the same turntable and I love it . cheers

[@ricardorowland6718]

Muy bueno..podrías decir que tipo de lubricante es ..marca , densidad,..etc..gracias..!

[@StillSpinning3]

+Ricardo Rowland Gracias!

[@Albee213]

I tested a Technics SL-Q300 many times and it was running at 33.2 rpm and wow and flutter was .08%. I then lubricated it and it spins a bit fast but the wow and flutter is now .15%m double what is was! Hopefully it will get better...

[@StillSpinning3]

That's odd. Hopefully it gets better!

[@lindoromarinramos469]

Hi! I bought a used turntable SL-D3, Unfortunately I received with the cueing level loose, the component inside broken. What can I do? Regards.

[@StillSpinning3]

Service manual available for free on the site below: www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-d3.shtml

[@mathijsdijkgraaf8081]

Hi there, I hope anyone can help me with this. I just got a Technics SLD-303 turntable. I played a couple of records on it. A few of these records are slightly warped. These records play great though. The Technics SLD-303 has an automatic arm return. When the stylus reaches the end it returns to the basic position again. However, when the arm returns on the warped record it hits the record. This of course is not good for the stylus and the record. I have already looked through the manual. I could not find anything there. Changing the tracking force does't matter either. Can somebody please help me with this??? Thanks

[@StillSpinning3]

The intro of my KZbin videos has my tonearm auto playing the album. Is your tonearm lower than mine?

[@Trojan0304]

Thanks for tip, did this on my tt

[@marcusharmon8389]

A good quality bicycle oil works great preferably with a bit of Teflon in it quite pricey but works great Make sure it's a thin one cheap stuff won't be ok

[@StillSpinning3]

Thanks for the tip!

[@redbishop71]

Was that the Dark Side Of The Moon? I have the 1973 released version. One of the best album!!!

[@miknich9776]

Which manufacturer the lubricant was used and where can you buy such ? Sorry, I don't understand English well

[@StillSpinning3]

oil.turntableguide.biz/technics-turntable-oil.html

[@miknich9776]

@@StillSpinning3, Thank you

[@TheSharkey22]

Any light synthetic oil will do. 3in1 motor oil is perfect. It is SAE20 synthetic oil.

[@alejandrocamara4265]

im_a_ yes A

[@gweagraff]

I just got a Technics turntable that has a really weird issue. It makes kind of a clicking/static noise. It sounds like the platter is rubbing against something, but I can’t figure out what. It sounds like the sound is coming from toward the outside of the turntable so I’m not sure how well this will help. But do you think it would?

[@StillSpinning3]

It’s very possible. Does the platter appear to be spinning appropriately despite the noise?

[@gweagraff]

@@StillSpinning3 yes it's spinning at the proper speed

[@StillSpinning3]

Well if it’s spinning okay and it doesn’t seem to be disrupted other than the sound, yeah this might help.

[@gweagraff]

@@StillSpinning3 bad news. I bought the lubricant and tried it but it did not seem to resolve the issue. This is an SL-Q200 I’m talking about. I disassembled the entire thing just to get to the motor assembly and I found some plastic between the metal and the circuit board. I couldn’t tell if the plastic was originally there, and I thought that could definitely cause some static noise, but I couldn’t seem to open up the motor assembly without breaking it.

[@StillSpinning3]

Oh no! When you say plastic do you mean you found broken plastic pieces?

[@JerodCarbonneau]

Where Did you order that?I have the same exact TurnTable!

[@JerodCarbonneau]

Thank you!

[@alcameron6071]

Jerod Carbonneau you can get the oil on eBay. A good synthetic oil is good.

[@misteraranda]

where did you order the oil from?

[@StillSpinning3]

www.turntablelab.com/products/pro-ject-lube-it-silent-groove-oil-for-turntable-bearings

[@denisdominguez8313]

Is this lubricate works with any Technics turntable? I have Technics SL-2000 turntable

[@StillSpinning3]

Yeah it should.

[@denisdominguez8313]

@@StillSpinning3 I purchased one

[@dianne8340]

I found this model in Goodwill for $8.00. What is the name and model number of your SL-QD33 phono cartridge and stylus?

[@StillSpinning3]

I'm using a Shure M97xe cartridge.

[@johnsweda2999]

Still Spinning do yourself a favour and get a Nagaoka mp 150 phono cartridge if you can stretch to the mp 200 even better. They supply it with its own headshell as well go with the pre-assembled with its own headshell. Or replace that headshell with a Auto technica. Don't forget to oil your bearings on your tonearm as well and on the motor.

[@craneoperator4]

I use a vintage can of Sears electric motor oil I got free..👍

[@rayh53]

Since 1978(?) I'm guessing its time. Fortunately, there were quite a few years where it sat in storage.

[@calvinglomstad5612]

FYI, if you have trouble pulling the platter on a direct drive just tap the spindle with a screw driver handle then pull up and it will release.

[@StillSpinning3]

Thanks for the tip.

[@robertpopescu9652]

Will WD40 do any harm? Thanks!

[@StillSpinning3]

I’ve never heard anyone use this so I really can’t answer that.

[@lobstame]

WD-40 is not a lubricant.

[@DavidUKesb]

It will make things worse after a very short improvement as WD40 isn't a lubricant but a solvent.

[@itemps]

sewing oil or hammond organ leslie oil will probably work i bet

[@johnsweda2999]

Isaac Temple the high-end turntable manufacturers use 80 gearbox oil, you should grease the bottom of the Burning not oil? with thick white lithium grease mix in powdered graphite one to one or two to one greece.

[@ElectoneGuy]

Your platter mat has rotted - gotten hard and lost it's elasticity. It should flop not be hard like a dinner plate.

[@StillSpinning3]

Yeah I replaced it with a cork mat.

[@johnsweda2999]

Still Spinning get yourself an achromat by funk firm, is the only mat you need? doesn't matter what price of turntable you've got Really the bottom of the bearing is not getting any oil but really Grease is better lithium thick white grease or graphite.

[@fledglingbodhisatva4821]

Mine hasn’t been lubricated since 1976. Guess I’ll get some lube 😎

[@StillSpinning3]

I think I need to make a channel t-shirt that says “Lube Your Spindle”

[@rafaelmarquezcoronado4026]

MI TECHNIC SL3300 PRENDE Y NO GIRA DE VENEZUELA SALUDO

[@rogeryoung5180]

Your rubber mat seems very stiff. It should be replaced. Also, remember to tie down your tonearm to its post beforehand.

[@eoinmcgowan]

Shit I better get some on my 1210s haven't done this to them since New 18years ago

[@StillSpinning3]

Yeah I'd say you are due :)

[@3ccdmike]

That looks like sowing machine oil.

[@bootasinghwarring1109]

You are great sir Sir Please one record Plyar send me please sir

[@Brockton]

Lol, I just had to pay 27 bux (Canadian) for an ounce of lubricant off of eBay.

[@StillSpinning3]

Whoa

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Your turntable is like a car with a lot of parts.

[@djbarandilla]

First you should disassemble and clean and apply the oil directly to the bar, as you do in the video, it is not well done

[@StillSpinning3]

I followed the instructions of the service manual for my unit.

[@djbarandilla]

@@StillSpinning3aaaa okey! Perfect 👌🏻 bro

[@nicestrat]

lol

[@sp2un]

How do you cut your nails so short and bad ?!

[@StillSpinning3]

I will create a terrible manicure video to explain.

[@sp2un]

@@StillSpinning3yes please

[@lamusicanuncamuere]

Thank you for the info. Do you know if there is any way to level the 'foots' of the SL-D3?

[@StillSpinning3]

lamusicanuncamuere Let me look at mine. I'll get back to you.

[@lamusicanuncamuere]

thank you haha

[@alcameron6071]

lamusicanuncamuere To level the platter, the feet are not adjustable. What I do is cut some 3 x 5 index cards in half, and I put the appropriate number taped together under the feet needed. Are use one of those small plastic line levels that you can get at your hardware store. It’s about 2 inches long. Set it in the center of the platter and check for level both directions, from left to right, from back to front. And put the appropriate number of cards under the feet to get your platter level in both directions. When you were satisfied with the number of cards needed, I taped them together to make them as one unit so they won’t slide around separately.

[@treker1000]

I've owned a Technics SL-D2 Turntable for around 33 years and it still works and sounds just as perfectly as the day I got it. They are also still rated 4.8 out of 5 by many audio professionals. I've been lubricating mine in a very similar way for many years. Very good video. I only have one negative comment. Teckneeks? Technics is pronounced Teckniks and always has been. Unlike the technique you used to lubricate it.

[@StillSpinning3]

Come on don’t knock my Texas accent and how i pronounce Techniques 😉

[@StillSpinning3]

Come on don’t knock my Texas accent and how i pronounce Techniques 😉

[@chipper2462]

The only people who pronounce it Tekniks are millennials who weren't even born when this turntable was made,and the British,who can't speak proper English anyway....Throughout the 70s and 80s radio advertisements pronounced it Tekneeks.

[@redbishop71]

@@chipper2462 that’s one of the most absurd comment I read in KZbin, when you said British, you also included English, aside from Welsh, Scottish, and northern Irish. ENGLISH PEOPLE are the one who invented English language, so this means they are the ones who should pronounced the English words right, and that’s right. Peace!!!

[@chipper2462]

@@redbishop71 It's a Japanese word translated into English...The English didn't invent the word...Dum dum