How to Rehab a Cassette Deck with New Drive Belts - SONY HST-221

In this video I will show you how to replace the old, worn out drive belts (bands) on your cassette deck / tape player. My vintage 1980's cassette collection has come to life again! Have fun, be safe, and enjoy your vintage music on cassette!
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Buckwsr, putting the "Do" into "Do-It-Yourself"
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[@benk2304]

Thanks for the great video! When you reached in there I hoped those big capacitors weren't retaining charge. Its great to bring the steeeo back to life so you can enjoy all of your music again. 🎵

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for the note! Good luck to you!

[@fflynnful]

I just repaired one of these. The motor went bad, so I had to replace it along with the belts. It's actually somewhat impressive with 100w per channel and fairly good wow and flutter, not the greatest but not the worst I've seen, and they do it all with one motor! It's easier to get to things if you take the front panel away from the bottom panel. Spray the controls and switches while you're in there.

[@gustavovelez8166]

Thanks a Million great video! I have a few Cassette Corder that I brought from Japan many years ago! I will give it my best try to put new belts on those great machines that made my youth so happy! I will let you know if I succeed! Thanks Again great help!!!

[@kingshearer2]

The old belts were probably 1.2mm and the new ones 1mm. Great video, I've got a similar repair to my sony with the same config as yours!

[@piotrmacc8793]

Could you draw a diagram of how the belts are supposed to be put on, on this video you can't see much and my belts have fallen off so I have no pattern - thanks.

[@yourfriendrick7303]

I have the exact same stereo an i went and checked the belts earlier tonight an they was not even stretched they was like a tar an absolutely destroyed so thanks for this vid its a huge helping hand

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Rick. Enjoy the stereo. I use it every day!

[@yourfriendrick7303]

@@Buckwsr I will I can finally listen to my king diamond an Metallica cassettes

[@Buckwsr]

@@yourfriendrick7303 I love my collection of old cassettes!

[@fflynnful]

The belts can turn to a strange black goo over time. They just melt. It might take a little while to clean that up. Once it's clean, put on some new belts and you're probably good to go.

[@brantvodehnal8411]

Dude I just bought a unit just like this one . Cassette not working, pulled the cover off and yep two broken belts. I'm gonna try to replace them. Got the unit for $10 and everything else works good, it is LOUD !! Thanks for the video.

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, this is a great unit. I use it every day. I plug my computer into it for great sound all day no matter what I'm working on. Good luck!

[@hangingwithchris1240]

Very helpful thanks so much

[@jonharp]

@Buckwsr, can you recall what the size of those belts were for your 221?

[@maximusmax4557]

I have an HST/LBT-D107 that I've had since brand new. I just discovered the cassette portion no longer works, despite the fact that I can hear the motors working. I'm gonna try to install new belts. Wish me luck!

[@williamevans9528]

Where did you find the belts. I have the same 107 but I need the belts

[@Polygon_Parrot]

Snagged mine with two Large Song speakers and the original glass case for $38. Amazing system and sound. Any other cool things I can do with this system besides radio, cd, cassettes?

[@Buckwsr]

I just trashpicked a turntable! I plan to hook it up to this system soon. Thanks for the note.

[@Polygon_Parrot]

@@Buckwsr Awesome! I actually have a record player, so I might just hook that up to the system!

[@pepecorneta]

I can't figure out how the belts that go from the black wheels to the motor attach to the motor? Mine were melted and completely out of place when I bought the stereo. I searched everywhere online and couldn't find a diagram. Thank you!

[@ktangut]

I got the same stereo and replaced the belts, but I noticed the play speed is a bit slow. Is this normal or are the belts not correctly installed?

[@jscan]

What's a fawnagraf?

[@alura1186]

Picked up this system today and the old belts literally melted into everything, did a rough test to see if it even works and it does. I decided to just pick up some o rings from ace hardware, do you think those will work in place of normal belts?

[@Buckwsr]

Hope it works out. O-rings may be a bit too stiff. Let me know!

[@rogercamp6071]

Is there two belts on each side?I found replacement belts for the Sony cassette player like this one and it shows four belts,I picked up a system similar to this and the cassette player didn't work, upon inspection it appears that all of the belts have broken, I'm going to attempt to replace all the belts to see if that helps.

[@kingshearer2]

Did it work for you? I'm trying the same think but when I replace them the belts slip etc...not sure if it's the belts I bought quality or size or I haven't got the right configuration since each wheel has 2 grooves and perhaps they make a difference.

[@rogercamp6071]

@@kingshearer2 well I haven't gotten the belts right now so can't tell you for sure.

[@bobsfavs1]

Do you know belt sizes? If I find a belt from variety pack that fits snug it will be ok?

[@Buckwsr]

Yep. That's what I did. Just tried on a few for size till it fit right. Good luck.

[@jerrywilliams4190]

I have a hot 231 had volume then no volume how do I fix it tred different speakers went to tuner to cd video still no sound

[@Buckwsr]

Possibly the contacts in the volume dial control are dirty. Unplug the unit, and try some electronics cleaner spray if you can spray it into the dial. Follow that up with some compressed air. Possibly start with just the compressed air and see if that helps. Of course, it could be some other problem. I hope you figure it out!

[@therightshoe4312]

I have the HST-221 that used to be my uncle’s. Just recently, I had to start pressing the power button 15-20 times to turn it on. Now it won’t even turn on at all. Do you have any idea what could cause this and if I can fix it?

[@Buckwsr]

I have the same issue. I press the power button firmly, and massage it left and right till it turns on. Try that.

[@therightshoe4312]

@@Buckwsr thanks for the quick reply. I actually forgot to mention I was doing that. Could I try anything else?

[@therightshoe4312]

@@Buckwsr thank you so much! I just tried this out again because of sheer hope and it turned on! Now I just have to hope it doesn’t turn off 👍

[@574130]

Sounds like a relay problem.

[@OldSonyMan]

I'm a bit late to the party but I do KNOW what the problem is and in theory it may help someone else ! The power button isn't the power switch, The power button is attached to a fairly long piece of plastic which presses the actual 'switch' in and out (at the back of the unit) and over time the switch terminals (into the circuit board) break their solder joints ! This is a surprisingly easy fix, just add heat and a blob more solder and "Hey Presto" , your done !

[@bobsfavs1]

Belts turned into tar.

[@Buckwsr]

Yep, 20 year or so will do that to the best of us!