Phonoland

Hi, I have a Garrard 2025 TC with a malfunctioning changer, and I am trying to remove the change cycle cam to clean the cam and trip mechanism. After removing the retaining clips on both the cam and the trip mechanism, the trip mechanism can be easily removed, but the cam cannot and seems to be locked on its center post. I have tried a couple of drops of lubricating oil on the post but it hasn't made a difference. I pulled the cam as much as I dare, but the center post does not seem to have a rigid attachment on the bottom of the changer so I am afraid of breaking its attachment point. If anyone has experience with this I would appreciate some hints.

Thanks.

I hate when that happens.

Solvent applied on a regular basis over a period of time MAY loosen the cam gear from it's shaft...

I had to let an AT6 sit for weeks and even THEN it was a bitch.
Try the solvent, then use a pair of Vice Grips on the exposed shaft, while grabbing the gear with a towel and working it back and forth to get the solvent down into the shaft.
Eventually, over time, it'll break loose enough to remove.
But don't expect to be in a hurry.

Thanks very much. I was afraid it might require something like that. In a few "weeks" I'll let you know how It works out.

I used the solvent approach several times without any loosening of the cam from its shaft, although it probably would eventually loosen over a period of time. Instead of waiting I decided to try using a soldering iron to heat the inner ring on the cam that seats the shaft, without heating the shaft itself. By thermal expansion the ring should expand slightly so it could be removed from the unexpanded shaft. After two tries, I was able to rotate the cam on the shaft while holding the shaft with pliers, and eventually rotate it off by pulling upward while rotating. The solvent might have helped loosen it initially so the combination might be tried by anyone with this problem. Be sure to allow the solvent to dry thoroughly before applying any heat since it is flammable.

The shaft is not supposed to turn. It is effectively riveted into place. I would bet the seized lubrication caused the gear to have so much torque that it tore the shaft loose.

montrose1504 wrote:I used the solvent approach several times without any loosening of the cam from its shaft, although it probably would eventually loosen over a period of time. Instead of waiting I decided to try using a soldering iron to heat the inner ring on the cam that seats the shaft, without heating the shaft itself. By thermal expansion the ring should expand slightly so it could be removed from the unexpanded shaft. After two tries, I was able to rotate the cam on the shaft while holding the shaft with pliers, and eventually rotate it off by pulling upward while rotating. The solvent might have helped loosen it initially so the combination might be tried by anyone with this problem. Be sure to allow the solvent to dry thoroughly before applying any heat since it is flammable.

Indeed, the solvent takes time, but I have used the "heat" method on occasion too.
Glad you're making headway.
Don't forget to check underneath the changer, flush off and relube all that old grease.
And the motor bearings.... use a good light oil.

I wondered myself how the shaft was turning and it appeared the rivet itself had loosened. After removal of the cam it seemed that I could tighten the shaft slightly by turning it. After lubrication and reassembly it now remains stationary when the cam rotates.