Help: VCR video head squeak (Fischer P420S VHS)

[Paul R Gendreau Jr]

It's very unlikely that the video head motor is the cause. The more likely cause is the motor static brush that's located on the top or bottom side of the motor. It looks like a small spring tab with one end resting on the motor shaft. This can emmit a high pitch sound when it starts to vibrate. If it is the motor, th then OH BOY! The direct drive video head motor is a sealed unit and you won't be able to lube it!

[Sam Goldwasser]

In article <3o8a4b$8...@news.uni-c.dk> uni...@ov.uni-c.dtu.dk (Oyvind Aabling) writes:

> in CyberCity could help me with this problem:

> The video head in my VHS video recorder
> (a now 4 year old Fischer P420S)
> has started emitting an audible
> high-frequency squeak when it rotates.

> The noice can be quite annoying, and it can't do any
> good for the remaining lifetime of the VCR either :-(

Before you go ripping into the guts of the lower cylinder, is there a
static brush on the top or bottom of your head spindle? This would appear as a
little carbon bad on a springy piece of metal. If so, that is what may
be making the noise. Some careful repositioning will solve you problem.
Test by gently lifting off of the spindle or removing it temporarily.

--- sam

> It is obviously the head bearings that needs
> lubrication, but how do I access these ?

> Below the head (on the backside/bottom of the chassis)
> there is a PCB electro-motor that as far as I can see
> cannot possibly be detached without violence or damage
> (no visible screws or anything).

> On top of the video head itself are two cross recessed
> screws that obviously are holding the head in place,
> but what will happen if I unscrew them ?

> Will the head need readjustment/centering (and if so:
> is it possible to do that yourself without special tools),
> or is the top of the video head locked in
> place so that it will be safe to remove it ?

> And what about the video heads, are they
> attached to the top or to something else ?

> Furthermore, I have two kinds of lubrication on stock:

> 1) General-purpose acid-free thin-flowing oil for
> use in sewing machines, bicycles, dorlocks, etc.

> 2) Ball bearing grease (cup grease).
> The consistency of this stuff is approx. the same as
> the grease used in the VCR for the arms that loops
> the tape in around the video head.

> Are any of these any good, or must I use something else ?

> Sending the VCR to be repaired professionally costs a fortune
> compared with the price of a new VCR, even for small repairs,
> so I would appreciate any help you could give me.

> Thanks in advance.

[Oyvind Aabling]

I would appreciate it if any of you out there

in CyberCity could help me with this problem:

The video head in my VHS video recorder
(a now 4 year old Fischer P420S)
has started emitting an audible
high-frequency squeak when it rotates.

The noice can be quite annoying, and it can't do any
good for the remaining lifetime of the VCR either :-(

It is obviously the head bearings that needs

[Martin Daly]

In article <3o8a4b$8...@news.uni-c.dk>,

uni...@ov.uni-c.dtu.dk (Oyvind Aabling) wrote:
>I would appreciate it if any of you out there
>in CyberCity could help me with this problem:
>
>The video head in my VHS video recorder
>(a now 4 year old Fischer P420S)
>has started emitting an audible
>high-frequency squeak when it rotates.
>

I agree with the answer about the static brush, but I have seen many-many bad
cylinder motor bearings. If it is the brush, you can stop the noise with your
finger. If it is the bearing, you can change the pitch by slowing the cylinder
with the same finger.

I have never had good luck with lubing a cylinder motor bearing. Replacement
is usually the only fix, unless you are in possession of a precision machine
shop.

Good Luck

Marty

[VCRMonthly]

The squeel that is coming from the "heads" is in all likelyhood coming
from what is known as the drum anti static brush. this is an arm that
rides on the shaft of the drum motor and usually has a small carbon
protrusion. It will be either on top of the drum shaft or on the bottom
(take off the bottom cover). Merely clean with a q-tip slightly wetted
with contact cleaner. This should solve your problem. DON'T start
dissassembling the drum assembly.
Good luck,
Richard
vcrmo...@aol.com
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[darrin...@bristol.ca]

I had a similar problem with a JVC VHS (the model
number escapes me at the moment). Every so often
the unit would whine (drive you crazy while
watching a movie) It was the static strip the
rides on the head shaft. I didn't lubricate it
just moved it's position a bit. Seemed to work
for a while but the noise came back. Maybe a
small amount of conductive lubricant might help?

Darrin Gates
Electrical Systems Engineer
Bristol Aerospace Ltd
Winnipeg, Manitoba