Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

Thanks, Peter.  I have two questions: (1) Why would this condition have suddenly occurred.  Neither I nor anyone else has done anything to that slot-head screw that resides in the bottom of the bearing well, and (2) can you amplify on what part you refer to as "the top cover"?  If you are referring to the black protective cover that nests around the spindle and is held in place by 3 screws, I have taken that piece completely off, and the noise remains; in fact it's easier to hear it with the cover off. Thus I would tend to exonerate the cover.  Or have I got the wrong idea about what parts you are referring to?  Thanks again.

I just looked at the exploded view parts diagram on p. 28 of the Service Manual.  That black cover is not shown as a separate part; it's shown as part of the motor assembly, which is held in place by the 3 screws, parts #69 in the diagram.  That top piece of the motor case (painted black and inscribed in white lettering with some identifiers) is not involved in creating the rubbing sound I hear.

I think I am going to proceed first of all by changing the lubricant.  I have a 50W Redball (I think is the brand) synthetic motor oil that is recommended lubricant for the Kenwood L07D bearing.  Has anyone used that stuff in a TT101.  This WILL of course require unscrewing that plug at the bottom of the motor bearing well.  Any other tips are appreciated.

@klinerm 

 it has a drive that makes it eminently enjoyable, so much so that I could easily listen to it all the time. If you have any interest in the Luxman, I can't imagine being disappointed in it if it's set up properly.

Thanks Richard. Yes, this is one of those decks i've been looking for a long time and finally placed an order for PD444 with 3 armwands. I've noticed those armwands alone goes for crazy prices on ebay. I hope my Reed 3P with 3 screws mounting style will fit one of the armwands. But for this arm i don't actually need any hole in armwand except for the mounting screws. I've heard that someone in Japan can make a custom armwand for luxman. Do you know anything about it?

I have 2 armwands model TP-MT (3 fixing screws)
and 1 armwand model TP-SG  (medium size hole)

I would like to find TP-LH (large hole) for Technics EPA

Lewm,

I've messed with that screw more than I'd care to admit. It has the effect of adjusting platter height. Too low and the platter will rub against the escutcheon and make noise. Even with the platter off, if that screw is not within some acceptable range, rotating the spindle by hand will generate some grinding/swooshing/what have you noise. Although I can't explain the sudden onset of the noise, I'm pretty sure adjusting that screw will cure it.

And, yes, I've used that Redline motor oil. It's fine, but Doron who is some kind of oil expert suggested I try Royal Purple. I found the platter freedom of movement to be much greater with the latter. And I recall believing that the table was quieter. I had planned to try different viscosities... but I had a pile of Music Matters jazz releases to listen to :).

Banquo, In addition to adjusting the screw under the bearing well in order to set platter height, one can also shim the motor up, if the platter is rubbing on the escutcheon. I found on my TT101, in the course of investigating this new noise issue, that my motor is shimmed by two very thin washers under 2 of the 3 fastening screws. Under the third screw, there are 3 such washers (or shims). I demonstrated to my own satisfaction that they are all needed to help the platter clear the escutcheon with no rubbing. On that score, I know I wrote here that the noise I am hearing cannot be due to the platter rubbing. However, tonight the problem is behaving differently from yesterday. Now I do not hear the rubbing noise unless the platter and platter mat are installed. Gets louder when the weight of the mat is added to that of the platter alone. Yet, I can run a piece of paper all around the space between the platter and the chassis, and there is no evident point where the two come in contact. Thus it seems like weight pushing down on the spindle is eliciting noise from within the motor, whether it’s running or not. I can do a lube job, but it really does not seem to need it; it spins very freely. What a revolting development!!!

PS.  The synthetic motor lubricant recommended for the L07D bearing is Redline single grade, 50W, not whatever I wrote earlier.