Rowe R-90 Gripper Bow

I'm new to the forum and seeking assistance on the correct way to reinstall the gripper bow in my Rowe R-90 jukebox, The gripper bow (or arm) was "sticking" as it traveled down the rotatory assembly to place the selected record on the turntable. After reading a number of posts on the forum about gripper bows not working properly I removed the gripper bow, trunnion, cam gear and trunnion gear and cleaned all the parts in warm soapy water using a toothbrush to remove the built up dirt, grease and grime on the parts. I also removed and cleaned the L.H. and R.H. rotator assembly. I did replaced the R.H. rotator assembly which had a crack and looked to be missing a piece that I believe is pushed by the toggle solenoid assembly. I am having difficulty reinstalling the gripper bow and trunnion assembly and lining up the holes on either end of the trunnion to completely insert locking pins for the gripper bow and trunnion assembly. The mechanism assembly diagram in my manual shows that the slot groove on the trunnion should be facing up but there isn't anything in the troubleshooting section of the manual on realignment of the gripper bow and trunnion assembly to the sector gear which is turned by the sprag assembly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Jzero,

Sorry you did not give your name, welcome to the forum.

The Trunion gear is fixed as you say into the groove on the truion casting, if you could see the groove on the truion it would be about 2.00 oclock looking from the right hand side of the mechanism when the gripper bow is fully back into the basket.

The Cam gear however also needs to be in the correct position or you can not locate the two pins that go into either end of the trunion casting. When the gripper bow in back into the basketthe cam gear should be revolved so that the ends of the can open the gripper bow the cam could be 180 degrees out the correct orientation is with the hole facing towards the back of the mechanism. Put the left hand pin in first and then the right.

Please let us know how you get on.
Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

Alan,

Thank you very much for your reply and instructions on the alignment of the trunnion casting and the cam gear, I will attempt to reinstall the gripper bow assembly later today and will let you know how I made out. Also, is there a way to test whether the toggle solenoid assembly is working correctly?

Thank you,
Juan

Alan,
I was able to reinstall the gripper bow and trunnion assembly thanks to your instructions on orienting the cam gear into the proper position to insert the trunnion casting pins. After reading the posts on rowe/ami jukebox lubrication, I plan on checking the pads to ensure that the mechanism is sufficiently lubricated.

Juan

Hi Juan,
On the toggles--Just watch them operate --the plunger should "snap" when energized. If not, it has always been my finding that "someone" has "lubricated" them--Plungers, and coil interiors, must be clean/dry at all times ! Ron Rich

Hi Juan,

If you are to use any lubrication on this mechanism, then I would only do the following:-

High Melting point grease in the trunion casting at each end (where the pivot pins go into).
The Transfer Motor oil pads (say one spot)
The Magazine Motor does not have any oil pads (again one spot on each end of the sprung rotor)
Turntable shaft (one spot of oil rubbed ontothe shaft)

I only oil sparingly on the 1100, 1200 mechanisms and even less on the R-84 upwards mechanisms.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK