Admiral 5RP4 Record Player issues

Greetings all. I have a mid 50's plastic cased Admiral 5RP4 record player. I have replaced the idler wheel and drive belt with new ones. However, I can only get 78 and 16 to work. On 33 and 45, the idler wheel doesn't appear to be making contact with the platter. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!

Might need another belt for those spds., or, idler wheel is bad, or, mechanism is'nt working right. Got any pictures? It would help.
Bill Cahill

Idler wheel is brand new, as is the drive belt.

Any ideas on this one guys?

See if the tension on the idler spring is good?

Tension feels fairly strong.

hmm when you cycle it to 45 or 33 can you pull on the spring to make it the idler wheel make contact enough to have it make it spin the right way?

Here is a video of the admiral idler wheel mechanism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-gNQfgIbtc&NR=1

Looks, and, sounds to me as if your wheels are bad. I think the lower tires have likely hardeenned, and, glazed over, plus, shrunk.
You need to replace the rubber tires.
I'd say contact Gary Stork.
Bill Cahill

I have a new idler wheel and belt on this machine. Gary actually suggested this place for help.

But, it sounds like either your other two small wheels are bad, or, you should have 3 belts. Not sure which on this model.
The one I have is a 3 spd., so, that won't be alot of help in your case.
Bill Cahill

I looks like to me the tension spring is fastened in the wrong place as its pulling the idler away from the turrets instead of pulling it towards them.

I actually think an idler wheel with about an increase of 2mm in diameter would solve my problem. Any thoughts?

How about putting the tension spring in a different spot?
It isn't that simple on wheels.. Just move the spring..
Bill Cahill

Bill, why would I change the spring's location from it's stock factory position?

Because it looks like it isn't in it. Have you got the repair mannual on it?
Bill Cahill
Are you sure you re-installed motor properly after replacing grommets? Did you replace motor grommets? If not, motor may be sagging??

I replaced the grommets with silicone rubber that I applied myself. I guess it's possible I didn't judge the correct distance when performing this job. Where would I locate such grommets?

Try here http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/phono_motor_mounts.asp

There's your problem. You did the job wrong.
You need to go to Gary Stork at VM enthusiasts, and, buy the correct grommets.
Bill Cahill

Thanks Bill, I hope they do the trick!

I hope they do the trick. Gary said this is the first call for the Admiral grommets, and, he's excited.....
I'm buying an Admiral 45 rpm adaptor to finnish my table model bakelite radio, phono.
Bill Cahill

Looking at your mechanism, you may have a bit of dirt or grit so it might also be under the moving plate(s) or a metal burr, or bent piece that would prevent total movement. Just an observation. Clean and re-oil!

New motor grommets did the trick! Thanks to everyone who helped!

cool glad it worked