band replacement problems with Sears SR record player???

having some trouble with my sears SR stereo system.
it is model number 132 91870451
the tray won't spin, i think i need a new belt. found out how to replace that.
but when i went to take the two screws securing the tray and arm apparatus out, they unscrewed about halfway and got stuck.
are they supposed to come out? should i try and force it?
the little subsection wont lift out like this, but i don't want to break it.
i also checked to see if maybe just the tray would come off the spindle but that doesn't seem removable. :*( don't know what to do....
once i get it open also,
I heard you can use an appropriately sized regular rubber band to replace an old band,
will this work?
don't really have the money to spend on this machine, but i miss my records!
should i lubricate the rubber band? with what?
any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

no one has any suggestions at all? has anyone tried using a rubber band in place of a store bought band? if i haven't put enough information to go on ask me whatever, i NEED to get this thing fixed, i have almost 300 LPs that i can't listen to.... it sucks

It sometimes takes awhile for the responses to come in, since this site does not yet draw the traffic of some forums more oriented to electronic stereo components. While waiting for more helpful replies, you might try your question at audio asylum -- http://www.audioasylum.com/index.htm or even Nostalgia Air -- http://www.nostalgiaair.org/Forums/Indi ... 000130.htm

As for removing the turntable to inspect the belt, you might also try getting in touch with some of the repair shops that specialize in this. Google turntable repair, stereo repair, phonograph repair, etc. If they are reputable, they should at least be willing to tell you how to open it to see what type of belt you have. (My personal knowledge, unfortunately, is limited to mechanical or wind-up type phonographs.)

BTW, I would guess that a rubber band used as a turntable belt would probably work as a temporary or quick fix, providing it has the same tension and is the same size as the original belt. The problem with rubber bands is that they lose their integrity after being exposed to air. Some even get brittle or dry out after a short period of time.

Firstly, if this is a turntable on springs, most manufacurers used "lock-down" screws which when tightend lock down the plinth to the base for shipping so as not to damage it. When you unscrew it the springs are released and allowed to do their job. To remove the plinth you have to reach under it and snap the keepers up. which are now horizontal, to their vertical position allowing them to slip through the base holes. Also, a rubber band is not the answer for a host of reasons including wow and flutter problems. A belt is not expensive you just need to look on-line. I don't have a specific site to check but the sites Joe_DS suggested are where I would start. Lastly, the platter probably has a retaining clip of some sort where the spinde is and you need to remove the clip to remove the platter. Try to remove the platter first as it may not be necessary to remove the plinth to replace the belt. Regards.

Void SansAnge wrote:having some trouble with my sears SR stereo system.
it is model number 132 91870451
the tray won't spin, i think i need a new belt. found out how to replace that.
but when i went to take the two screws securing the tray and arm apparatus out, they unscrewed about halfway and got stuck.
are they supposed to come out? should i try and force it?
the little subsection wont lift out like this, but i don't want to break it.
i also checked to see if maybe just the tray would come off the spindle but that doesn't seem removable. :*( don't know what to do....
once i get it open also,
I heard you can use an appropriately sized regular rubber band to replace an old band,
will this work?
don't really have the money to spend on this machine, but i miss my records!
should i lubricate the rubber band? with what?
any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

Hmmmmmmmm, My concern here is that your question leeds me to beleive you are not very familier with turntables and probobly shouln't be taking this one apart (no punn or disrespect intended). There is a reson a drive belt is expensive and NO, ussing a rubberband is absolutly crazy and...just GHETTO! I would love to be able to help you but I need some info from you ... I have LOT's of knowledge and experience working with Belt and Rim drive units as well as full auto changers. I just did a rebuild on a 1972 Micro-Matic... If you lived in the Sacramento area, I would be more than happy to assist you in person.

- Is this a Rim Drive or Belt Drive unit? If the Platter is secured with a C CLIP and there is a stacking spindle (you say it is a SEARS unit) and has multiple speeds, I'll bet this is a BSR Rim Drive unit...but I cannot be sure based on the info you provided.

- What is the History of the unit. This tells us how much service it will need.

Looking forward to your response. Also, VinylAsylum is more amid at HIGH END audio so you may not get a response to this question on that site. You may want to try AudioKarma under VINTAGE.

Hope to hear from you...

Joey1127