I decided to pick up an SL-1700 MKII for cheap because it didn't function properly. I had hoped it was just the missing o-ring, not so lucky. I installed the new o-ring to control the cueing and autoreturn mechanism and NOTHING, oh the little belt worked perfect and it spun like a champ, but NO movement of the tonearm. I was heartened that the motor worked and the electronics that controlled it also worked, but no mechanical functioning.

I have torn this thing apart a half dozen times and fortunately all it needed was a good cleaning and lubing of the gears and cueing post. Now all the functions work perfectly and I am really impressed with the sound!! It is much better sounding than my PL-518 using the same AT-20SS cartridge. Deeper background and it seems to be at just the right VTA which is good cause that sucker is stuck!!

I have tried everything short of taking it completely apart, unsoldering the tonearm wires and putting it in a vice and using a pipe wrench! Anyone with any knowledge of those little devils or am I just stuck with a no VTA Quartz lock TT?

Thanks

Bill

functions work perfectly and I am really impressed with the sound!! It is much better sounding than my PL-518 using the same AT-20SS cartridge. Deeper background and it seems to be at just the right VTA which is good cause that sucker is stuck!!

I have tried everything short of taking it completely apart, unsoldering the tonearm wires and putting it in a vice and using a pipe wrench! Anyone with any knowledge of those little devils or am I just stuck with a no VTA Quartz lock TT?

Thanks

Bill

This may sound silly but i have to ask.
You've unlocked the little tab on the base of the arm behind the VTA ring? If so, you may need to squirt a tiny bit of lube around the VTA ring and let it sit say over night or for at least a couple of hours, then see if it moves. The only thing other than it being stuck to my thinking would be that it took a nasty hit and something is broken but the way that is designed if it took a huge hit I would think the arm is messed up. I have the service manual if you need one.. Some of those are very tight but do move on others they move very smooth with hardly any effort.
One more thing I'd remove the arm from the base where it attaches to the bottom then do the lube thing then try and work it back and forth.
And yes i figured it would sound better than that PL518.
Don't do the vise thing. I just cringe at the thought of it.

Let me clarify the end of my post. When I say remove the arm from the base I mean the 3 little black screws that hold it to those 3 little white posts.

Thanks for the reply and yes I did move the little lock lever, I almost put that in my first post. :D I have squirted some PB Blaster around the inner and outer ring and stuck it in the garage to let it set for a while. I did find one post from some time ago that suggested this as well as someone who took it completely apart and heated it. I think this will be a last resort!

If I do get to the vice concept it would be only to hold it still and will be padded so as to not damage it, that and a pair of channel locks. I am hoping that I will not have to do any of that and it will work as it is supposed to.

Thanks for the reply and yes I did move the little lock lever, I almost put that in my first post. :D I have squirted some PB Blaster around the inner and outer ring and stuck it in the garage to let it set for a while. I did find one post from some time ago that suggested this as well as someone who took it completely apart and heated it. I think this will be a last resort!

If I do get to the vice concept it would be only to hold it still and will be padded so as to not damage it, that and a pair of channel locks. I am hoping that I will not have to do any of that and it will work as it is supposed to.

Like i said I can e-mail you the section from the service manual on how to take the arm base apart

Thanks for the option, I forgot to mention that I do have a copy of the service manual. I have taken the tonearm apart several times getting to all the little places that needed the old grease cleaned off. I got far enough to take the lock lever out.

I just don't want to unsolder the tonearm wires to separate the ring from the plastic gear portion to get more serious about fixing this thing.

Well I let it set overnight and still no luck:( I guess a more serious tear down is in order, that will have to wait until august I think. Thanks for the help so far.

Back away from the turntable Bill! :D Bring it by before you tear it down too far, and we'll see what we can do. :thmbsp:

My hands are in the air and I am moving slowly back . . .

I will bring it over in a few weeks when all my travels settle down.