2. analog
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The best oil to use to lube a turntables spindle .

I just sold a turntable on Audiogon to a person who apparently used atf to lubricate the spindle bearing and the motor spindle. He claims that the motor is making noise now. {It was quiet when I shipped it to him}. I don't think atf should be used to lubricate turntable bearings. I believe it probably seeped into the motor and is causing the noise. I would think light machine oil would be best. The table in question is a Connoisseur bd102 belt drive. Any input would be helpful. Thanks.
jimel84
8 responses Add your response
bob_bundus
1,834 posts
 
VPI recommends a synthetic oil for their spindle bearings: Mobile 1. The motor bearings are permalubed & shouldn't be oiled. Your buyer has fubar'd his motor; it might be repairable by the manufacturer though.
micheal's avatar
micheal
29 posts
 
OUCH
Never use ATF!!!
One of the best is the plastic pen Teflon oiler sold by Radio Shack. Mix it up first.
Also a light spray of duralube (tm) before oiling is amazing.
Thick oil is for crummy bearings with lots of play.
How about brake fluid? ...LOL

mike
Ag insider logo xs@2x
ivanj
35 posts
 
I use Mobil One on my VPI and Linn, (oh, and on my Space Shuttle, too :))
sayas
193 posts
 
idiot would use ATF, it likely needed to be filtered first! Could also be very corrovise to the seals as they were likely designed for audio not high heat auto applications and ATF.
bohemian7's avatar
bohemian7
11 posts
 
I beleive that VPI recommends Slick 50 for their turntables.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Most mfrs. have a specific oil that they supply/recommend for their bearings. The requirements vary for the bearings used. A "sloppy" bearing will need a higher viscosity oil to take up the "slop", and close tolerance bearings will need a thinner oil to flow in the very small surface gap. There is no right answer unless you know the turntable/bearing in question.
gumbydammit
186 posts
 
ATF will leak in situations where it is not designed to be used. Even when replacing oil nearly as thin, ATF will seep past seals where oil will not.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I believe that in this situation there should be nothing done or just simply letting know that with your own TT you "intercourse" the way you want it and don't complain if anything goes wrong to the seller. Even authorised dealers will most-likely refuse to help in this situation.
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