[TinCanAlley]

Since working on my TV, I got back into working on some other equipment I've had on my list for a while. This time it's a VCR from '84 or so. The main issue is the transport issue. It will take the tape and drop it in place, but when you try to eject it, it will raise unevenly and jam. I'm trying to remove the assembly, but the SM seems to show the removal being 4 screws, but I can only see 2 of them and will have to see what needs to move to uncover the other 2. I'm hoping it's just gummed up grease as it's over 40 years old.

I've already replaced the belts and idler tire, but am trying to fix the winder issue before I put it back to a state where I can try playing a tape to see if the new belts and tire work. I'm attaching a couple pics of the winder out of the unit and in the unit from above. I replace the idler on this, but I'm not sure it was totally necessary as it is spring loaded to adjust for wear of the rubber. I replaced it because I wasn't able to RW or FF and figured it was slipping. After replacing the idler, I reassembled it, but it still won't work. I watched it carefully and it seems to swing over to the supply reel for RW, but it isn't turning it. In FF it swings over to the take up reel, but doesn't turn that either. I put a tape in and observed the winder from the bottom side and noticed that it is making direct contact with the supply reel, but is about 1/16" or so away from making contact with the take up reel. I'm a bit perplexed as the way a plastic wheel would be used to contact a plastic wheel. Not only that, but why won't it travel all the way to make contact. I've check the entire assembly and I can't see any way of adjusting it. It has a post that slides along a plastic bar that is used to center the wheel when play mode. All other times the bar is retracted and the wheel swings back and forth based on the rotation of the idler. I've circled that bar as well as the little post on the winder as it is fully to the side that should make contact with the take up reel. It has reach the limit of travel it would seem, so why the gap between?

Anyway, if all that is left not working is the winder, I can live with that. According to the SM, the winder is in a neutral position in all modes other than FF and RW.

If anyone would like images of the transport, let me know.

Thanks!