RCA VHT-52W Record Player

I scored a beauty, but now i'm struggling to get her to work! We purchased this amazing piece with the hopes of getting the record player working. We hired a repair guy who swears he can't repair the unit because he needs a new idle wheel for the unit. He stated it is a 2.5 inch diameter wheel with a 1/2 inch stem. Ideally i would love to find an owner's manual for it!! Does anybody have any ideas of where I can find a suitable replacement idle wheel??

Your repair guy is not very good.

Contact Gary at thevoiceofmusic.com for an idler wheel, you will probably have to send him your old one.

I would not put it that way--I would say that "IMHO, you probably should look for more experienced help". You also can go to the jukebox section of this list and look at the "new/used parts--where to find them" for some other wheel re-builders. Ron Rich

It's no wonder that people all over the East Coast seem to flock to me for service on these consoles.
This SO-CALLED repair guy obviously knows NOTHING about them, and has NO idea of sources for suitable parts for them.
It'll also need motor mounts, linkage grommets, and a complete teardown & re-lube, among other things.
Don't let this guy even touch the unit, or butchering will happen.
Then it's junk.
This things need loving care, nothing less.

This particular console will require complete restoration - I've done hoards of them, (VHT, VMT, etc. series) and ALL have needed it done.
The radio/amp/power supply all have failing parts that need replacement - to ignore this will lead to eventual and expensive problems.

I'm about to get another RCA "New Vista" console coming up from Baltimore MD in a few weeks, and I'm sure it'll require the same as I've done for all the others.

My dad's a mechanic & every time I tell him about my car troubles he's quick to remind me that my own mechanic is an absolute moron, LOL.
I have no doubt that this fast-talking repair guy (who has taken 2 months to try to fix my unit!) isn't the most knowledgable guy.... but he's all i have to work with. Due to the size of my cabinet, I can't just throw her into my car & the entire record player is sealed into the cabinet with glue, so I can't remove her. He's willing to come to my home & he's cheap. (one guy quoted me $300 JUST to come out & look at it) I'm totally open to suggestions but this guy came recommended to us from a local record shop who has had a relationship with him for years so I'm going to have to close my eyes & jump. He does plan to give her an all over tune up, but that idle wheel was the biggest challenge he was facing (other than dodging my calls). I can't look a gift horse in the mouth. I was worried about buying used parts as I assume they would be just as worn as the one I already own?? I will definitely contact Gary at thevoiceofmusic.com... Thanks for that lead!!!!!!

This guy's had it for TWO MONTHS?
OMG!

The MOST a console's been in MY shop for work is maybe 3 weeks!
Then it's DONE, and OUT!

And no, the changer isn't "glued" - because if it IS, it's been butchered or improperly mounted.
I smell serious problems already.

All components of those consoles are removable for service out of the cabinet.
I've done enough of them to know this.

This 1968 RCA console spent two weeks in my shop - including cabinet refinishing work - the people love it now.

I don't live too far from Philly Matt. If I find myself in the area at some point I would love to stop by the shop and say Hi. That RCA is Gorgeous!

I'm just finishing up a VHT52W in the shop identical to this one.
This one's going back down to Baltimore MD.
Another nice sounding console brought back to life!