Repair Quickie - Tuning a Linear Tracker

Just finishing up a Sony PS-FL7II and thought I’d go through all the various adjustments and an overview of how linear tracking turntables work.

[@BalduinOrgMusic]

Very helpful! Thanks to you I could correctly adjust my tracking tonearm and playing my records again.

[@mukeshkaku7122]

Fantastically explained. Keen on knowing more. Mine linear Tracking Turntable Stylus falls quickly on record.

[@jdlimages]

Excellent lesson! Thank you for posting!

[@zimmsrx]

Great video. On mine, when the weighted arm lifts up, the needle arm doesn’t fall and I can’t tell why. Is there some spring or linkage that drops the needle arm, or perhaps another weight at the end?

[@gilrath3256]

Hi, would any of the adjustments shown in your video fix the thumping noise when the chassis moves? I’ve checked the belt and lubrication and all seems fine but still get the thumping noise.

[@RyanCrase1]

I have the PS-LX510 and it plays records and tracks fine, but I have to use the manual controls to move and drop the needle to start the play. If I push the play button, it will go to the edge of the record. Hover for a second and then return back. Any idea why this happens?

[@bhopale1]

Thanks for the video, I have Mitsubishi MC8000 and tonearm dose not automatically move forward, it does move automatically in the beginning but does not move once start playing, any advice is welcome. TIA

[@mescko]

What's probably going on is the small belt in the drive that advances the arm needs replacement. With a long period of disuse the belt takes a 'set' and becomes permanently oblong (the pulley on the motor is quite small, the one on the worm drive is larger). The motor turns at high speed on lead-in, and while playing the motor makes tiny movements, one or two revolutions at a time. the oblong belt will grip at high speed but not for playing. The advantage you have is since it is vertical you can take off the back cover and watch and fix all this easily. It looks like the tracking belt is an SBS 3.5.

[@bhopale1]

Thanks very much 🙏

[@jhallo7740]

Nice video. I have a question about a sony ps fl77 lineair tracking turntable. I replaced the belt from the arm movement gear, and did a speed adjustment. Everything works fine, only one problem left. If the biotracer arm lowers on the record, the arm swings at lowering to the right, and falls beside the record. If i push the arm lifter several times, it drops sometimes nicely straight downwards, but you can not rely on it. Sometimes it does the job well, other time not good. What could be causing this problem?

[@thebluevu1097]

The biotracer tonearms are a different animal. First they are extremely sensitive to being level, check where it is sitting and adjust or shim the legs to get it perfectly level. After that you’ll need to clean up the adjustment pots on the circuit boards with some DeOxit. Take pictures and be sure to put the pots back to the same position when you are done. Lastly get ahold of the manual and walk through the initial setup and calibration again.

[@jhallo7740]

@@thebluevu1097 Hi, and thanks for comment. The calibration of the unit, was the solution for the tonearm problem. I think, due to aging of components like capacitors, the unit needs calibration after 37 years of lifetime. I greased also very light the biotracers sliding rod, and gears. Played a few records, everyting seems fine! I really like the sound of the turntable, much better than those plasticy toys they produce nowadays.😉

[@michaelbranam8440]

My tracker arm drops from too high and bounces on the initial start I saw how to adjust but I can’t seem to get the front tone arm cover off I removed the top screw but can’t seem to get the cover off. Worried about applying too much force on the plastic

[@michaelbranam8440]

@@thebluevu1097my tone arm drops on the record from too high up so it bounces initially. I saw from you video how to adjust but I cannot get the cover off the front tone arm. I removed the top screw but there seems to be a screw on the underside but no way to get to it.