Still not sure about the damping material inside the platter, they do not recommend (in the manual) to unscrew the platter. But if you did that yourself maybe i can do that too.As I mentioned, I didn’t have the manual at the time. Denon no doubt preferred you take it to a trained Denon tech with all the parts and tools, but is that possible 40 years later?
But removing those bolts/leaf-springs is the only way to renew the foam pads: you can't even see them otherwise (some owners don't know they're there). Even if your TT is NOS (lucky you!) I suspect they’re gone. Age and air destroy them, not years of use.
The thing is, the split-platter design really works! Before-and-After was a big difference, so I consider new pads essential. You can even "feel" the difference when you squeeze the two platters together.
Other split-platters (eg Linn, Thorens) only do it so the motor/pulley can be farther inboard, under the platter, allowing a smaller turntable. There’s no sonic benefit — though an easy mod can turn it into one.
There’s only one issue I’m aware of with the DP80: centering the platters when putting them back together. You know how to do that, and I described my method above.
There’s one other thing — retightening the bolts securing the leaf-springs. IIRC, they were torqued tight, and should be torqued tight when reassembled.
BUT I decided not to. I felt I understood the suspension principle after working on it, and chose a different tension for the leaf-springs.
But I won’t get into that: some people might jump on my head. If’s definitely a modification — whereas the pads are a simple replacement of failed old parts.