Hardest Decks to Service

[superlew]

I think there was a thread about this before, but I couldn't find anything through a quick couple of searches, so here's a new? thread.

I did a pretty thorough service on my Sanyo M9990 deck a while back and it was pretty tricky. Lots of wires soldered in various locations and a not-so-simple mechanism. But I took my time and powered through it with a good result - Twice, actually!

Fast-Forward (pun intended) to today and I found the deck that makes the 9990 look like gumdrops and rainbows: The Sanyo M-X920.
I've read that they're tough, but - I mean - c'mon, Sanyo... Really? Really!?!
Anyway, I got it going (I have yet to test it in the radio, but I can get the transport to engage manually) and I feel like a surgeon that completed an organ transplant. It's actually a pretty good feeling.

This isn't a "complaint" thread - just a little dark deck humor.

What other decks are just a little over-engineered that they require you to clear your schedule to service?

Here's what I was up against - Nothing comprehensive, but these few pics give an idea as to the build quality and engineering (and Sanyo thought they could push me to my limit... I don't give up that easily):






^Like working on a 1971 International with a bad valve cover gasket.

BTW, if anyone has a pic of an extracted Sanyo M9998 deck, I'd love to see it.

 

[bklyn sound]

Yes Sanyo m9998 has to be the worst ...I commend you on you success 😄that one for me was out had it professionally serviced along with my Big Ben

 

[Hisrudeness]

Aiwa TPR-990, Aiwa CS-85X (same deck with auto reverse!)

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

Aiwa TPR-990, Aiwa CS-85X (same deck with auto reverse!)

You beat me too it! The 990 was so tough, I sold the box without trying it. Actually anything Aiwa is a tough job.

Other's that are tough include:

Pioneer SK900/909
Sony CFS-99
Sharp QT93
Sears and Robuck SR2199
Panasonic FM45 w/auto reverse
Any Toshiba with auto reverse
Sanyo M7850k

Easiest in the world, Helix HX4700! (sucky decks though)

 

[baddboybill]

Most auto decks are difficult to do. Some harder than others. Easiest decks are manual decks. I've restored over 100 different decks and hardest I did was probably Sanyo/Fisher auto deck. From what I've heard though Aiwa has the hardest deck to restore. This was the easiest deck I had 😉 1 belt and not even a pause mechanism.

Bad Boy Bill

 

[superlew]

I just looked at some pics of the 990 deck, but still in the unit. Looks like a tough extraction, but the flywheel plate looks fairly accessible - if you can get the deck out of the radio... Of course, I don't have any first-hand experience with it.

Anyone ever work on one of those Sharp Twin-Cam decks?
I've often wondered about those.
Didn't find any pics of the mechanism after a real quick search.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

JVC M80 is another hard deck to service!
I pulled lots of my hair and superlew (Arom) send me pics of the inner parts of the deck and enlightened me!
Without his help I would have turned completely bald!
Thanks again Arom! You are so helpful!

 

[Hisrudeness]

The 990 has this horrendous gearing system as well.......so unnecessary! Luckily by the time the CS-600,660,770,880 etc came out they'd simplified it somewhat. They're still no picnic however!

Bolt boxes and they're Aka's are nice to work on.

 

[crazygamer]

Hardest deck to service is JVC RC-M60 deck, it´s heavily over-engineered, but back then this was probably quite new and extraordinary, but as it´s full logic thus very complicated, i took it to professional service tech who even told me that this deck is very hard to work on. Easiest deck i´ve ever worked on is Toshiba RT-70S/Toshiba RT-120S/Toshiba RT-6015 decks, all with single belt.

About those Toshiba Auto-Reverse decks, i´ve never got the auto-reverse to work normally, it´ll change sides and play, but it doesn´t switch to sides automatically nor using the "Manual" lever so the continuous play doesn´t work.

 

[Nickeccles]

Interesting topic this one

My Sanyo M9996 was a real sod to repair...........lots of swearing & 'putting it aside for another day' moments!!

Crazy triple belt arrangement all running off the huge flywheel, lots of electronics to move out of the way & a 'party trick' is what's needed to replace all the belts at once which is the only way to do it

A 2 man job then refitting the flywheel bracket with it's belt guide that automatically knocks the large flat belt off the motor pulley when you refit it

The reward when it works flawlessly though is immeasurable - it is one hell of a quality mechanism, stable & servo assisted brushed ally keys are a joy to use & easy to forget what's inside the beast!!

Pioneer Pioneer SK-606L is another scary mechanism, a huge array of belts & pulleys if it didn't have other faults I would have a go at repair but it's too far gone & I am relieved tbh as it's a complex transport & a probable nightmare..............

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Interesting topic this one

My Sanyo M9996 was a real sod to repair...........lots of swearing & 'putting it aside for another day' moments!!

Crazy triple belt arrangement all running off the huge flywheel, lots of electronics to move out of the way & a 'party trick' is what's needed to replace all the belts at once which is the only way to do it

A 2 man job then refitting the flywheel bracket with it's belt guide that automatically knocks the large flat belt off the motor pulley when you refit it

The reward when it works flawlessly though is immeasurable - it is one hell of a quality mechanism, stable & servo assisted brushed ally keys are a joy to use & easy to forget what's inside the beast!!

Pioneer Pioneer SK-606L is another scary mechanism, a huge array of belts & pulleys if it didn't have other faults I would have a go at repair but it's too far gone & I am relieved tbh as it's a complex transport & a probable nightmare..............

I have two M9998 that needs belts. Now I will skip that work. I don't want to lose my hairs.............

 

[SLO]

My tech that rebuilt my AIWA TPR-990 said that it was one of the most difficult decks he has ever worked on, and the guy is GOOD.View attachment 29474

 

[BoomboxLover48]

My tech that rebuilt my AIWA TPR-990 said that that was one of the most difficult decks he has ever worked on, and the guy is GOOD.

2016-08-18 00.21.08.jpg

It is always good to know smart techs like that.

We always love to pay for good workmanship!

The engineering that went in these different types of decks are mind blowing! I can't just imagine how much work was done in designing these decks. When you see those exploded diagrams you can see how complex they are.

 

[SLO]

Yes I wish I had more skills on a lot of areas when it comes to repairing these radios. But, I'm sure glad there's still a few people around to bring these back to life. I salute all of you that are able to diagnose and repair these boomboxes.

 

[T-STER]

I will concur with Nick and others, my Sanyo M9998 was a bitch to repair and took a whole day, then i left it apart overnight and resumed first thing the next morning and had it finished by late lunch. Belts probably took me around 4 hrs and the other repairs making up the rest. Would be quicker second time around as i know how to do it but its such a pain.

 

[Nickeccles]

I will concur with Nick and others, my Sanyo M9998 was a bitch to repair and took a whole day, then i left it apart overnight and resumed first thing the next morning and had it finished by late lunch. Belts probably took me around 4 hrs and the other repairs making up the rest. Would be quicker second time around as i know how to do it but its such a pain.

Lol!!

I think that's why I use my Sanyo 9996 more than all the others - Not only do I love it, but the work that went into slowly bringing it back to life & mint condition is one of my real success stories What amazing stereo's Sanyo made back then

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Lol!!

I think that's why I use my Sanyo 9996 more than all the others - Not only do I love it, but the work that went into slowly bringing it back to life & mint condition is one of my real success stories What amazing stereo's Sanyo made back then

Sadly no one has any pictures on the deck service of Sanyo M9998.

I always do my best to save pictures and share with needy members!needs it.

I wish someone could share it.

I have two to work on.

 

[T-STER]

Sadly no one has any pictures on the deck service of Sanyo M9998.

I always do my best to save pictures and share with needy members!needs it.

I wish someone could share it.

I have two to work on.

If it helps i still have the pictures of the wires and locations for reassembly. if i take the back off mine i could probably put a guide of sorts together i reckon.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

If it helps i still have the pictures of the wires and locations for reassembly. if i take the back off mine i could probably put a guide of sorts together i reckon.

That would be great bro!

 

[AE_Stereo]

Aiwa TPR-990, Aiwa CS-85X (same deck with auto reverse!)

You have said right.
I have both of these decks. Didn't dare to touch the mechanisms yet.
It looks like gear box of an automatic transmission car!

Another tough machine should be Pioneer SK-71. It is similar to SK-95, but SK-71 has a counter memory repeat function, driven with a second tape counter, which is hidden from view!
SK-95 itself is a wonder. It engages the Play piano key switch by itself with Music Search function.