Panasonic rx-f9 cassette door stuck

[johnvergara73]

If anyone can help it would be great, I have a Panasonic RX F9 boombox, the cassette door is stuck and there is a cassette inside. I cannot open it because it looks as if in order to open it the cassette door needs to be open any suggestions or is this a loss?

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Try pressing play and stop function several times and see that help release the door mechanism. In some cases the play mechanism will not retract all the way and lock the door. In some cases we have to gently pry it open a little to see if the head is disengaged fully. Use plastic pry tools and see if you can see it better.
In many cases I had luck prying it open. Careful not to use excessive force to break any parts. Plastic pry tool and paint contact area should be masked with a tape.

 

[caution]

I wouldn't take my chances prying on anything. Take the front off and see if you can manually release the door latch or disengage the heads.
To remove the front, you need to remove nine screws and the tuning knob. Check Figure 1 on page 6 of the service manual (link)

 

[johnvergara73]

I removed all the screws and everything knobs as well, but there's something still holding it and I'm wondering if in order to take off the back you need to open the cassette door. If that's the case there's really nothing I can do. There's no room for prying anything I'll keep trying to get it open

 

[BoomboxLover48]

In theory prying is not a good option at all and is the last resort. From my experience in these tightly packed small boomboxes, there is absolutely no way to manually release the door latch from the rear!

 

[caution]

There are some tabs under the door in figure 13, perhaps those will allow the door to loosen up enough to get it to open.

 

[johnvergara73]

I'll take a look at those on figure 13 again I just didn't understand them. Thanks again guys I'll keep thinking of a way to get it open

 

[BoomboxLover48]

Focus on Fig 10. Get some gap in the top area of the door and see you can reach the eject lever from the top of the door. You have to pry a little to get there with a tool. I don't think any part of the door can be accessed from the rear. If the head is somehow not fully released, it won't be easy to open. Good luck!

 

[caution]

You're totally right Royce!
Even if those ribs in figure 13 can be released, I'm not certain if the hinge releases too.
I was thinking that if the bottom of the door could detach, then that might allow it to loosen downward and let the tape get out from the heads.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

You're totally right Royce!
Even if those ribs in figure 13 can be released, I'm not certain if the hinge releases too.
I was thinking that if the bottom of the door could detach, then that might allow it to loosen downward and let the tape get out from the heads.

Dear Eric, You and Norm are the best here and always grateful for your advice and help! What do I know? I only saw it from another perspective.
You guys are our PRIDE here on Boomboxery!
God Bless you Both!

Small boomboxes mechanical parts were always a challenge. I have many in my collection I left it alone or else I will lose more hair.
I have damaged a few prying (carefully without a scratch) and breaking the plastic part that grab to lock the door. Then, I fixed it all later. Patience! Sometimes I had no patience late nights working on fixing these tiny boomboxes.

 

[BoomboxLover48]

No fun here without you all!

 

[johnvergara73]

Thanks again guys I'm going to give it a shot again today I'll keep you posted on my progress

 

[hopey]

The top is part of the front panel you kind of lift it up and forward the door should release by itself don't force it. I repaired one of these recently its a killer box.

 

[johnvergara73]

The top is part of the front panel you kind of lift it up and forward the door should release by itself don't force it. I repaired one of these recently its a killer box.

Ok cool I'll try it out

 

[johnvergara73]

WELP unfortunately there's really no way for me to open it I've tried everything for the past couple of months I throw in the towel, into the storage it goes. Although I'm going to keep it because it still sounds good it just would be nice to get that cassette out. Thanks again everybody for trying to help out