Rock-ola 444 - 2 questions from a newbie

Hi everyone, we recently bought a beautiful (in our eyes) Rock-ola 444. I have 2 questions:

1. there is a clunk when picking and returning records and sometimes when the bass comes in - i've identified the front left mechanism mount as the source of the noise. Essentially there are 4 mounts that hold the whole mechanism on springs, and this side is lower and bangs metal to metal - I tried to screw the adjuster up and down but it seems to do nothing.

Other than wedge something under it, any idea how to adjust?

2. intially the jukebox played every selection without issue. Over the last few days the first time we turn it on, regardless of the selection we make it doesn't play (it does have credit). If we open the lid and flick it to SCAN then back to OPEN and make a selection it is then fine all night.

Hi
Not sure about the clunk noise may be more of a case of lubricating the mechanism in particular the gripper arm. Any amp that hasn't seen any service for a while may need recapping. You could check the cartridge and tone arm wires to make sure nothing is disconnected or rubbing of each other. Also clean the volume control and check speaker connections and clean contacts on the mute relay.
Regarding the machine not reading out the selections I wouls say relay on the wobble plate is not activating the microswitch, the copper helper spring may be missing or it may need adjustment or the slip rings on the wobble plate need cleaning
Clones

Regarding the four springs: make certain all four are there. One of my jukeboxes had a similar issue and I found one of the springs laying in the bottom of the cabinet. Those are not adjusters over them. They are lock downs for the mechanism when it's moved. A bolt through the center keeps the spring in place. For proper operation, the lock downs must be loosened so as to not affect the ability of the entire mechanism to "float" on the four springs. Take a good look and see if everything's in place.
Patrick

thanks guys.

Patrick - that explains why the "adjustments" I made didn't work! All 4 springs are definitely there, but the front left corner doesn't seem to hold the mechanism up as high as the others.

Also, the springs themselves creak/squeak when I rock the mechanism - any idea how to stop that? I guess it's their age?

Make sure that the locking hardware is loose: you should be able to lift the mech somewhat. If any are tightened the mechanism will not float properly. Among other issues this can cause the basket motor to bind. I don't know about the creaking noises, but pull off the front so you can get a good look inside and make sure nothing is getting caught anywhere. And congrats on your 444. Nice.
Patrick

I'll have a tinker tonight -thanks

Are all 4 of the "rubber insert" ( cones) installed into the springs ? Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Are all 4 of the "rubber insert" ( cones) installed into the springs ? Ron Rich

none of them have rubber inserts that I could see, it just seems this one corner sits lower. I've wedged something soft between the two bits of metal that bump to stop the noise, assume it needs a new spring or the rubber inserts?

Ron: I don't believe there are rubber cones on these. There are only four parts in each assembly: spring, bolt, washer, & keeper (frustrating round, flat metal piece threaded onto the bolt and sometimes replaced with a nut). Spongmonkey: can you post a photo of the parts making contact? Or is one of your springs visibly crushed? Those four springs should be able to keep everything where it belongs.
Patrick

this photo shows the offending area

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zv48gr3swbwyd ... 0.JPG?dl=0

this shows a "normal corner"

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9hhwizsdrrdtd ... 1.JPG?dl=0

Guys,
I think I was thinking about Rowe's, and Seeburgs--RockOla did not use any rubber there--
I would remove the springs, clean, paint, and "stretch" the offending one to match the others--
Ron Rich

I'm sure glad this topic came up. It's always good to revisit issues like this. Last weekend I rotated jukes in the house and put a rockola 474 that I picked up a year or so ago in service for the first time. I'd gone through it when I bought it and got it all in working order, but I'd missed these lockdowns. Can't say why since I'd run into trouble with them on two machines before. Anyway I opened it up to clean up the lighting contacts and modify the electronic credit unit. Reassembling the chain, i was looking at a near duplicate of the picture posted to this thread. Both left side lockdowns were cranked tight. The mech wouldn't float. I loosened them, but one spring was nearly flattened. These springs are the same as in all my Rockolas from 442 through 480. Kinda crappie springs, not like the much sturdier found in the 490 and beyond. I could stretch it out but I think I'll replace them as a set. If it weren't for this thread posted this week I probably wouldn't have noticed this condition before it caused problems.
Patrick

Hi Patrick,
I would not replace the springs with anything "heaver", as if my guess is correct, RockOla engineered those springs to "fit" the cabinet, and mech lay-out--- I know for a fact it's that way on Seeburgs !! Ron Rich

Thanks, Ron. I'll take that advice.
Patrick