Tape path bearing noise

[ReelNutz]

Hi, Everybody!

Got an Otari Mx5050 Bii last fall with the tape path upgrade.  There was always a bit of noise from tension arm rollers, but it has gotten louder.   So much in fact that it is a distraction when playin at lower volumes.

Is there regular maintenance required to keep this from occuring?

Much appreciation fer any advice anyone has.

[Doc B.]

The only time I have heard of that happening before was when a customer had been cleaning the tape guides frequently with alcohol. That can wash the lubricant out of the ball bearings. You could try removing the bearings and soaking them in some light oil, or simply replace them with new MR63ZZ bearings of an ABEC 5 or higher tolerance rating.

[ReelNutz]

Thanks man, I suspected that was the issue when I had a diff issue and cleaned it with alcohol.

[Doc B.]

Alcohol is quite a good cleaner for some tape path parts. But it is a little difficult to control where it goes and it can negatively affect some parts, particularly ones that have oil or grease inside. That would include some capstan parts that have an oiled felt washer. It's probably fine used on the bearings and other metal surfaces if applied sparingly. I would avoid using it on rubber pinch rollers. I switched to a cleaner like Fantastic or Formula 409 for that job, as it is less prone to harden the rubber.

Naptha is a fallback if some metal part is really gunked up. I occasionally use it on badly gunked up heads. Never get it near rubber though. It will attack it big time.