ROCKOLA 478-wrong record plays / slow TT / gas springs issue

Hello all, glorious website.

Just acquired a Rock-Ola Mystic 478 (1978) jukebox for $100 on ebay. They were selling for pick up only, and it happened to be in the town next to me. I can tell you the horror story of picking it up later...it involves a flight of stairs and somebody who didnt tell me it was on the second floor...

So a few issues have arisen:

1. Every so often, the juker seems to get confused.. If I select say, 6 titles, the first four or five will be correct. Then, the NOW PLAYING will be the correct number, but it will have picked up the wrong number record. Then every record after that is off by the exact number of slots as the other. I have it set to free play. I have done the logic board test, which is the troubleshooting advice in the manual, and it plays the correct records in the test.

2. Sometimes, but not always, the turntable will start off a little slow in the beginning of a record. After 10-15 seconds it gets up to speed. After reading around on this forum, I believe it requires some lubrication. I found the rockola lubrication chart, and plan on lubing it up as soon as i can find some of that SAE 20 ND that I've been hearing so much about. I just wanted to check with you guys to see if there is anything else I should look for.

3. The "gas springs" that hold the hood up don't seem to want to do their jobs anymore. I have looked around and I can find some on amazon and such, but i don't know what their weight capacity needs to be. Someone also suggested I try a junkyard and get them off the trunk of a hatchback or SUV. Think those would be strong enough?

4. When the jukebox is on, but not playing a record, there is a loud hum coming through the speakers.

Thanks in advance for the help! I'm looking at you here, Ron! Actually, I saw in another post that you aren't familiar with that model. Hopefully these problems are universal enough that you may be able to shed some light.

-Drew

Hi Drew--
OK--I'll try
On the wrong record playing, I would clean the optical board that "indexes" the record basket---
On the turntable--oil the motor--both top and bottom, and the idler wheel, to include the portion that puts pressure on it. Also, clean the wheel/turntable insides, and oil the turntable. Check that the rubber grommetts (sp?) holding the motor are the correct ("off white" color) ones, and they are not stiff--or worse--
Best I can do--Ron Rich

Ok, I will try that and post updates.

THANKS RON!

Any suggestions for the gas springs (hood support arms) out there?

The gas shocks should be available from Victory Glass since they own the N-O-S Rockola record jukebox parts inventory. Look for the part number of it in your manual and call Victory Glass.

I forgot----on the gas shocks--John at www.jukeboxparts.com has made exact replacements for all the Rowe--Seeburg--and I think Rock-ola ones that were used----order by model number at his " www.needles4jukeboxes.com " website. Ron Rich

I checked both Victory Glass and Needles4jukeboxes, and neither have that part/model listed. I emailed both just to make sure.

John at www.jukeboxparts.com has 3 Rock-ola 478s listed for sale of parts, so let's see if that can get me anywhere.

Does anyone know if these gas springs can be repaired? Seems unlikely... but worth a shot i guess.

Also, Ron:
How do you suggest cleaning the Optical Board that indexes the record basket? Comressed air..?

Just wipe out the "U" section of the sensor with a dry "Q-Tip", and be sue the "holes" it "sees" are clear-clean --
I have not heard of the shocks being repaired--You might ask John, as he has dealt with the mfg for awhile-- Ron Rich

From what I know gas springs cannot really be fixed for a reasonable price as it would be a unique work to do so ....

Does the original gas spring give some details? Some have the capacity hidden in the numbers.

Hildegard

I have a slow turntable all of the sudden. How/where do I put the oil? Other than that, I have a 1971 Rockola and it works great. There is even a place about 40 miles from here I can get 45's.
Thanks
David

David,
IF, you are lucky, there will be an "oil tube" on the motor for the lower bearing--if not, you will need to remove the motor and saturate the lower felt pad with oil.
Oil the upper bearing (felt pad also) and the idler wheel pivot and "spring loaded" slides. Oil the turntable shaft. I suggest that only SAE 20wt ND oil be used. Clean the inner surface of the Turntable, and the idler wheel rubber. If the (special) "white" motor supports are rotten, or hard, they will need to be replaced. Ron Rich

David, if you still need your gas struts replacing or re gassing let me know, i found somewhere cheap and it was great, they made up new ones which work perfect!! let me know and il give you their details.


Nobster

I have the same problem with my 478 Mystic Gas Springs, and have found someone who will make them up for me, only i need to know what pressure they must put in them (Neutrons), Can anyone help me