Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

Problem with TT101 motor noise.  Dear brothers of the TT101, My unit was out of use for a few weeks, because our basement was flooded in a minor way during the last torrential rain in DC, and before that I was away at a meeting.  Yesterday, I fired it up and immediately heard a periodic rubbing noise coming from the motor.  My sense is that it comes from the top side, not from the bearing.  It can be heard once per revolution.  Today I took off the platter and loosened the motor mounts so I could pull it up and look at the mechanism from the side view without actually removing the motor from the chassis.  I can see no problem, nothing visual by side view of the intact motor. Yet when I spin the motor by hand with power off, I can hear the rubbing sound coming from somewhere within the mechanism, once per revolution, audible through about 30-40 degrees of the 360 degree rotation, rather on the high pitched side as rubs go.  Any ideas would be appreciated. Plus, I would like to know how to take the motor apart if necessary, so that I don't screw it up in the process.  I gather from appearances that the wiring harness that goes to the motor comes entirely from beneath the escutcheon on the upper level.  Thanks for help.

Lewm

Most likely the bearing is adjusted too tight, loosen the screw in the center bottom just a little and your noise will go away. The bearing pushes the rotor up against the top cover.


Best of Luck

Peter

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