New SL-1700 MK2 in the house ... help...

Well, I finally scored a new table. I wanted an SL-1600mk2 (SL-1610MK2, actually) but an SL-1700MK2 became available for a very good price (but I had to drive two hours to pick it up). Right away I'm immediately hearing it is a much nicer sounding table than my SL-1600 MK1. There is more bass warming up the sound, which I love. I wanted to compare the 1600 MK1 and the 1700 MK2 so I quickly transplanted my Stanton 681EEE (already on a technics headshell) right over to the new table and, wow, big difference. I'm loving the warm rich sound. My dream sound: solid, impactful bass!

But there is one problem. The auto return isn't working. I know all about the problems this table has and the repairs needed. (I've been reading about the 1600 MK2 and 1700 MK2 for months and months!). I replaced the cue/auto return belt with a nice-fitting o-ring from Lowes (btw the correct size is 1 3/16 diameter and 1/16 thickness. BrassCraft part 0550. I bought four sizes to try out make sure I had a perfect fit!.)

But sadly my smaller gear withing the auto return assembly is cracked. The fatal flaw!

Did anyone order the replacement gear a fellow at the vinyl asylum discovered from SPD-SI.com? The plastic gear is listed at $1.36 but when you go to checkout, it shows that they will charge you the minimum order of $50! It will be a cold day when I blow $50 on a $1.36 plastic gear.

If anyone has one here to sell, please PM me.

But back to the table. Listening to the remast Ziggy Stardust right now. Love the authority this table has!:thmbsp:

PM inbound.

I also posted the 'Gear Repair' at AK. Pretty sure I ordered a few by phone (1800-819-8900) from SPD-SI.com. Paid around $6 for shipping (NY to NJ). Send me a PM and I will get one to you .

Also, on the underside of the gear is a flat o-ring, which could be rotted off. It moves a plastic Tone Arm cam. Any grease on the o-ring or cam face, and it will slip and fail to partially or fully move the arm.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=452256

Thanks for the offer, Hatman, but Aerobat already came to my rescue on the gear!

An O-ring under the gear? Really? I have to take a look for that. Something else to worry about.

Pictures four and five in my above Gear Repair link (SL1600mk2), shows the new (white) gear and under it the grey flat o-ring. The fourth picture shows a black plastic plate with the tone arm wires sticking out of it (SL1700mk2, Tone Arm Fixing Plate Ass'y, #144 on schematic).

If I remember correctly this is how it works. This black plastic plate affects the tone arm and has a vertical edge. The o-ring, spun by the gear, contacts the vertical edge and brings the tone arm back on auto return. No grease on the surfaces and check condition of o-ring. You stated the small gear is cracked and it may be the problem if it is not gripping the splined shaft.