As part of the Service Options Inquiry.
Do ask about the Platter Spindle Bearing Housing, making it known it is most likely a JVC QLA-75 Model.
As a Basic treatment, the Bearing Housing Internal should be thoroughly cleaned, along with the Spindle, (Some have the witnessed tarnish on the Spindle lapped to a bright finish) ready to be coated in new lubricant.
My suggestion is prior to adding new lubricant, the Spindle / Housing can be reassembled and checked for any lateral movement between the Spindle and Bushes. Newly oiled parts will usually temporarily disguise the movement that could be present.
Lateral Movement is an indicator that the original fit between Spindle /Bush has slop, that has over usage degenerated to the present condition, or the original fit was quite tight as a tolerance fit between Spindle /Bush and has degenerated through usage, especially dry and unlubricated usage to the present condition.
Note: There are many many TT's, Vintage TT's, and especially Japanese Vintage DD TT's that have models from the main Brands that can't retain oil in the Bearing Housing, there is a leach out, usually to be found occurring at the Sump where the Thrust Assembly parts are found.
I have over the years been instrumental in offering up methods that have proved successful at preventing a lubricant from leaching out from a Bearing Housing.
The name of the game at this stage though, is to experience a Bearing Assembly operating with a low coefficient of Friction and if all goes swimmingly well, operate with an improvement to the true of the axis.
My experiences to date, is that on a Basic Bearing Housing Design, this is a condition that is going to be temporary but achievable.
A different grade of Oil can be considered if the Bearing Housing is able to retain a lubricant fill of the Shaft, this will be beneficial to take up an excess of spacing if there is a detected slop.
If there is no lateral movement detected, and the Bearing Housing is able to retain a lubricant fill of the Shaft, this will be beneficial to keep the critical interfaces within the Bearing Housing in contact with a lubricant, this is not too commonly discovered as a condition.
If the Bearing Housing is not able to retain a fill of fluid, or if the Volume of Oil added does fill the spacing between the Spindle / Bush, the improved effect of the added oil, will usually be short lived, as the oil will leach out of the critical spacings (Spindle Bush Interface) and eventually escape the Bearing Housing.
The Base of the Spindles Thrust Assembly will also benefit from an investigation. a Thrust Pads discovered with a deep indentation resulting from wear, will increase drag and increase noise/transferral of energy.
Additionally the Thrust Ball or Spindle Base can be scribed as a result of wear, this surface type will cause noise / transferral of energy. Worn metal particulate from the Metal on Metal contact, especially as a dry contact will produce metal dust, that will fall to the sump, and have the opportunity to be abrasive to the parts at the Thrust Interface.
There is plenty to read about overhauling / improving / upgrading Thrust Assemblies.
At this stage the aim is to freshen the tired assembly and attempt to avoid Metal On Metal Contact for as long as it can be maintained. With a bit of luck, methods can be adopted to improve in the short term on eccentricity of the Spindles rotation, improving the axis of the Spindle to be more true during rotations.
Eccentricity during Spindle Rotations being present, to keep its effect simple as a description, will have a effect on Wow / Flutter, as well as expose the Styli to forces not best for its optimised function.
The Electronics and Speed Control should be captured by a Specialist Service.
If avoidance of Metal on Metal and a True Axis during rotation does become a curiosity, there is a extension of discussion to be had at a later date, there is a Cottage Industry addressing such issues on TT's, as well as many DIY methodologies to be discovered.
