Have just scored a Sony DTC55ES Dat deck, all functions check out fine, great condition, but chews the old tape, checked out the mech, and found the pinch roller is pretty shot, improved with a little tlc, but still not 100% reliable, so has anyone got any info on replacing the roller, cos this could be the best $60 I have ever spent on HiFi!, as these units cost over $1000 new!!:banana:

If the roller is glazed and you've tryed cleaning it with the proper rubber cleaner, you may have to use some #600 sand paper on it.
Place the sand paper flat on a table. Litely, very litely, press it to the paper and at the same time rub it in the direction of the tape. When the glaze is gone, stop! You don't want to take off excess rubber. That will make the roller smaller than specified.
Put it back in the deck as see if it now grabs the tape.
Hope this helps.

Ron

You need an X-3337-610-1 from a Sony part distributor. DAT pinch rollers are better changed than resurrected. The cassette holder is delicate so work carefully with the proper tools and good light.

There was a great Sony distributor located in the NYC ara. Dale Electronics. They've since closed shop. Dealing directly with Sony can and usually is difficult.
They still may carry the roller you need.

Do as Nakdoc suggests. Try to source a new roller before sanding off any material. Sanding should be your last resort.

Ron

Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate this, I have however had a cunning plan......., I have purchased via e-bay, a broken computer dat back-up drive, which has a Sony mech, with the right roller!!!!, straight swap Nice!!, cost? $2 +shipping result!!:banana:

Do a web search for the following three companies: Union Electronics, Andrews Electronics, and Tritronics. They sell Sony parts. Andrews is on the west coast; the others are in the eastern USA.

Fred Longworth