Turntable Repair

Hello All,

I just bought a Dual 1229 turntable from eBay and it has 2 problems. First, it's making a horrible squeaking noise, even when the platter is not spinning, but also while the record is playing. It almost sounds like a car fan belt. But I don't think this system uses belts.
Second, the "Stop" lever does not stop the record from spinning. I have to wait until the record finishes before it will stop.
Does anyone have any specific advice how to fix either issue? Do I need oil for the squeak? If so, what kind and where can I get it? For the stop lever, is it simply a spring mechanism that may have broken underneath? I have a video I took, but I cannot add it here.

Please help!

Thanks,

Steve

I've owned the 1229 previously, bought new in 1974.
As a servicer/restorer, I've overhaulled many through the years for customers.

Step #1 - stop using it!

Step #2 - find a "reputable" servicer who knows these (complex) German changers thoroughly - and have it serviced by him.
-It's not for the novice to attempt.

Step #3 - enjoy it!

RE: "find a "reputable" servicer who knows these (complex) German changers thoroughly - and have it serviced by him.
-It's not for the novice to attempt."

Along that line, here are a few shops that specialize in Dual turntables --

http://www.fixmydual.com/

http://www.doctordual.ca/

http://www.turntableexperts.com/


This site, with troubleshooting tips, might also be helpful -- http://www.dual-reference.com/Troubles/troublemain.htm -- but if you're a novice to turntable repair, it should be used mostly for information purposes.

As Matt noted, it's best to turn it over to an expert or specialist, since these are precision instruments which, with proper care and servicing, are built to last a lifetime. (At the very least, they're a hellofalot better-built than most of the upper range models available today.)

JDS

Indeed what Joe mentioned is true.
Additionally, certain parts and mechanisms could be damaged by forcing them, namely the auto-manual height selector on the tonearm base housing.
This is due to solidified 40 yr old lubricants.
The operations involved to remedy this are beyond anyone but a specialist.
I've done them, trust me - it's not a pretty job!
You bust that mechanism through forcing it, you're SOL baby!
The changer mechanism depends on it for proper operation.

Also, most all of the mechanisms underneath need dis-assembly and attention.
Again, a tedious job, not something anyone would want to do.

Here it is, exactly four months after the last post.

I hope you have taken the advice and are not still using that Dual. The following has probably happened:

The main control lever, that among other things turns the motor on and off, is stuck. The motor is not turning
off. Because the motor has been running continuously without a chance to cool down for who knows how long,
its bearings are dried out and that is what caused the continuous squeaking.

This does the motor no good. In fact after a while the motor shaft and the oilite bearing sleeves will be worn
and scored; the motor will be ruined, which is a shame because once the squeaking starts, it is not too late
to cure it and save the motor by properly servicing it.

Meanwhile, that main control lever needs to come out and its pivot cleaned of old, dried-out Dual grease,
and relubricated. Other mechanical pivot points probably need the same treatment. By the way, check out
the speed change control. It is probably frozen in the 33 position, again due to dried-out Dual grease. If
you force it, you will break the speed change mechanism. So don't.

All this doesn't even mention the problem that eventually afflicts ALL Duals in the 12-series: the steuerpimpel.
It is a tiny rubbery pip on the end of a spring-loaded shaft, that acts as a slipclutch for the tonearm mechanism.
Dual's discriminating German "engineers" made a poor materials choice for this part. Like all things rubber, it
deteriorates. A Dual whose tonearm sets down short of the record, or that picks up the arm at the end of the
side, only to have the next record in the stack fall onto it, most likely has a bad or missing steuerpimpel.

A Dual 1229 can be a superb high-end record changer. But with those and other problems such as the "jack"
that adjusts the height of the tonearm gimbal unaddressed, and the controls forced in an attempt to free
things up and make it work, it will turn into a pile of junk.

The STOP switch does not turn off the power. It starts a change cycle that returns the arm to the rest post. The arm entering the rest post is supposed to turn off the motor.

Yes, there is a switch which turns the motor on/off when the tonearm moves. Also, this is a very complex changer which is not for the novice to overhaul correctly. This is a complex mechanism and very precision overengineered in the German manner. And never force anything on a Dual 1229, several items are very breakable.