Taken from Marians excellent guide: "Warning: there is a tiny plastic ring inserted on the capstan axle. It is barely visible and very easily lost, if you do not notice that it's there. It can be either black or transparent. Especially those transparent ones are almost invisible. This ring is very important to keep wow/flutter low. It can either stay inside the cavity of the capstan wheel (OK) or on the FG coil" This ring seems to be missing on several of my walkmans even those ones that looks like they never been opened before. Were these present on all DDs from factory? Do anyone know how to find or create replacements for these?
Yes, that washer was installed from the factory, otherwise you would have increased wow&flutter and depending on walkman orientation metal on metal noise. The symptoms of it missing would be pretty obvious, so it's hard to believe such walkmans would pass quality control without the washer installed. The washer can only be missing if someone took out the flywheel and lost it. Check with a bright light both inside the flywheel assy and inside the FG coil. As Marian said, the transparent ones can be almost invisible but under bright light they have a different texture so will be seen quite easily. Have not seen these for sale in bulk, although I would like to have some as spare just in case, but I honestly can't remember to have replaced these.
Thanks, I will have another look. Yes, it do sounds strange if they are missing on several of my DDs especially as they have good W&F. The reason for me to look into this is to find out why my DC2 has out of spec (0.17% WRMS) W&F with audible flutter. The W&F sounds fine just after greasing and oiling the capstan wheel with measured 0.09% WRMS, in that state I cannot hear any flutter at all. It stays good for many hours playtime but then gradually gets worse until I oil and grease capstan again. I could not find a washer in the capstan wheel but will check again once I have time.
Thanks for clarifying the symptoms, it's good that it's described in detail for reference. Indeed your symptom does suggest a missing washer given the W&F is good when you oil that point and gradually gets worse as the oil gets dispersed and you start to have metal on metal contact. I suggest not using the device until you can find a replacement. Ask Marian if he has a spare, it's possible that he can help you.
I have checked again now and there might be a washer in there but it seems that it is stuck and will not move. Anyway I have changed the whole flywheel from another Walkman with a non-stuck washer inside. Measurements looks even better now: W&F 0.07% (0.07 specified). Power consumption: 95mA (98 specified). I will monitor it now for some time and see if it changes. I am however sceptical that the problem is solved. Many thanks for your input.
