VPI rimdrive squeaks

I converted my SuperScoutmaster to Reference with rimdrive when the rimdrive first came out, and have not had any problems with squeaking or noise, it runs silently. My thought is that the contact pressure of rimdrive to platter is too high.

I adjust my rimdrive while the turntable is spinning, and very slowly and in very small increments move it until it has the proper pressure. It can take a while to do this properly. Make sure the body of the motor is parallel to the plinth. There should only be very slight contact of the rimdrive belt to the center metal rim of the platter. You can always call VPI and ask Mike for some pointers. He is very helpful.

Have you examined the o-ring on the rim driver wheel that contacts the platter? If the periodicity of the noise matches the rotation of the driver wheel, there must be some irregularity in the o-ring. If the periodicity matches the platter rotation (i.e., the time it takes for the platter to rotate 360 degrees), then look at the edge of the platter where it contacts the drive wheel. If all looks well, then I suspect you have a defect within your motor, perhaps a bad bushing or something like that. What you describe is unacceptable in such a product, and since your problem is rather unique, I suspect that one of the above is occurring. But you need to do some homework to figure it out.

I auditioned the rimdrive at a dealer, who I think knew how to set it up since he has been doing VIP for twenty years. But, I did hear your squeak a few times during the audition along with some other problems, mainly vibration on the plith. I mentioned all that to the dealer and he seemed to suggest it was the characteristic of design. I passed, as it spelled too much fuzz.

Thanks for the (as I respond) 3 replies. Keep them coming PLEASE.

I really don’t believe contact pressure is too great. I have tested incrementally and minutely by reducing it until platter speed is uneven AND platter continues to rotate long after motor stops (ie too light). All is level too. The whole thing is stood on one substantial and level Symposium Ultra base. Motor parallel to and symmetrical with the platter.

This squeak is in fact the tip of an ‘unfortunate’ iceberg. Problems started before the rimdrive conversion. I see from other threads I was not alone in experiencing a loud Hummm. Even my unprompted wife commentated on it from 8 feet away ! when at 45rpm ( the deck, not her) 5 feet at 33rpm. After a long long story and lots of contact with VPI the Hummm disappeared (see later, it may help a fellow Hummer or two) but now I’m still left with the squeak.

When belt drive was first converted to rimdrive I was still failing to solve the Hummm and hoped rimdrive would fix it. It didn’t. I then had a Hummm and a squeak.

VPI shipped me a whole new (native, unconverted) rimdrive and motor assembly. You can’t ask for more than that from a manufacturer. Unfortunately I soon found out that, indeed, I couldn’t ask for more than that. Well, I could ask but I couldn’t get.

Mysteriously, the replacement, unconverted rimdrive assembly made exactly the same squeak and was returned. Odds-wise, the finger of suspicion shifted elsewhere ( to ME for instance, if you are VPI).

Superplatter edge seems to be vertical, even and consistent as I watch the rotating edge through a magnifying glass with a lined background as reference. There is no apparent lateral or other movement. And anyway, the squeak is in sync with the rimdrive, not the platter.

Hence, I’m still at a loss and will gratefully consider all suggestions other than advice to only play records by the Chipmunks.

As promised, I will return to the Hummm but think this response is long enough. I’ll do the Hummm in another (I hope required) Response.