Removing Morch DP-6 tonearm wires from cartridge


I will be replacing the cartridge on my Morch/Moerch tonearm once I get my new cartridge. This will be only the second time I have installed a cartridge on a tonearm; please forgive me for all of the the newbie questions.

I noticed that the rubber boots (?? I don't know the proper terminology) that cover the clips on the end of the tonearm wires seem to be a bit dried out, with some small cracks in them as well, and so I am concerned that they might disintegrate when I try to remove the clips from the cartridge contact pins. (I haven't actually touched the boots to see whether or not they are still pliable, this is an observation from visual inspection only.)

Is there a trick to removing the clips easily? (I'm already worried because I know how fragile the wires themselves are.) Is there perhaps some sort of moisturizer or lubricant I can use that won't interfere with the electrical connection but will make it easier to remove the clips, and that might also "replenish" the rubber of the 'boots' ? (Or does the condition of the boots not really matter as long as the wires themselves are OK?)

Holly
oakiris

Showing 4 responses by stringreen

...just unscrew the cartridge from the arm and yank the wires the hell off. Putting them on is tricky, but not removal. Don't use any lubricant on anything..the boots are simply a color code...don't worry.
Oakiris....when installing your new cartridge, affix the wires on the cartridge before installing the cartridge on the arm.....much easier. Hold the cartridge, and push on the pins...a breeze...then screw the cartridge on the tonearm. If you have the cartridge on the arm and try to push the pins on, you very well might rip the connects off of the tonearm wire. Try it...you'll see.
Holly..just another 2 cents.... Personally I don't like De-oxite... the very act of removing the pins will (have) cleaned them. The less you monkey around with those fragile wires the better. You don't need long nose pliers if you just push the clips onto the pins with your fingers while the cartridge is not attached to the arm. I wouldn't spread the clips and then tighten them onto the pins. Why search for Zebras when the horse is so close by.