Alignment of the carriage has gone haywire on Rockola 408

Have had my Rockola 408 playing OK for the last couple of weeks. A couple of times a record was replaced in the next slot with the next record.
Today, after a few good plays it really started messing up: gripping off center, not loading properly, and placing the record again in the wrong slot. Got out my manual and wound up offsetting the carriage about 1/4". Things seemed fine for a few plays. Then the alignment started to go off in the opp. direction. I returned the carriage to approx. where it started from but now the following happens.

Select A1 and will retrieve C1 and not reset pin for A1
Select C1 and will retrieve E1 and reset pin C1 but not E1 of course.
It still seems to wander around a bit as far as how it approaches the record slot. Have done some more minor adjustments to no avail.

I'm wondering if something is loose or bent.

The Gripper did hang up about a week ago and I was able to get loose with a little effort. If I recall correctly the gripper grabbed a record off center and couldn't close in properly.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

David R.

Hi David,
"Adjustments" do not change by themselves--always a good idea to investigate further before "re-adjusting" anything. In this case, if my great, but not too long memory serves me, the basket stopping position is controlled by a "dynamic brake". If the electrical contacts supporting this system are not making well, it will "under/over shoot", often--check the service manual for the circuit. Ron Rich

Mr. Rich,

You are right on. On the Rockola 408 the contacts cleaned were #3 & #10 (#10 being in the DC supply) and the problem has subsided. I'm pretty old (I got into ham radio in the 60s) and other than that have limited circuitry experience. I'm enjoying the challenge of working on the old jukebox. I really appreciate your help and my regards to all of you that allow me to pick your brains due to my limited knowledge.

Thanks again

David R.

Hi David,
Glad you fizzed it !--never too old to learn new "tricks"--enjoy !!!
Ron Rich