Technics SL-1200 MKII Bearing Problem

I took it to a professional, and it's fixed, basically. If I balance the tonearm at zero, set the anti-skate to zero, and then pull the tonearm over to the spindle it still drifts back to the edge of the platter, but much more slowly now.

I guess this is normal?

I thought the anti-skate only pulls in one direction (away from the platter) to counteract the centripetal force of the rotating record? If this is the case, then it should never pull the arm back toward the platter, as it does when I move the arm to the right of the arm rest.

I think it's something to do with the antiskate mechanism. Mine does the same thing, but when I set the antiskate to 6g, the tonearm drops into the armrest as it should. When the tonearm is positioned anywhere else (with the cueing lever up) though, it pulls the tonearm noticeably outward. What I've found is that the antiskate setting that works for playing records causes it to drift inward when lowering into the tonearm cradle.

After fiddling with it for a few hours, I've taken it to a repair shop. I'll let you know what the results are.

Tvad - I have the anti-skate set to zero, and that's why the movement of the arm on its own is bothering me. It should float freely at zero. And the table may not be absolutely level, but it's definitely level enough for the arm to not drift as quickly as it does.

I have a feeling that Lindisfarne is on to something with the cables causing tension. It does look like an invisible hand is pulling the tonearm back to a settling point, whether I pull it to the right of the settling point or the left.

-Dusty

Mine has done that for about a year. It doesn't bother me and the tonearm plays and tracks just fine.

Still, if you talk with Kevin at KAB, I'd be interested to hear what he says.

Mine did the same. I don't think you have a bearing problem. I believe the tension of the cables is what pulls the arm back. But...I'm NOT positive.