A year before I tried to attempt to replace my Nakamichi DR-10 deck Capstan belt. But I closed back my deck due to fear about the complex Nak mechanism. I searched over net for a proper step by step method but nothing found much useful. Last month again I tried and successfully completed the task. Thanks to our FM Indinakdocs various threads on Nakamichi decks which gave me some confidence. Based on my experience I prepared a step by step procedure with photos and it may be useful for someone.
Required Tools:
1. Screwdriver PH2 and PH1 sizes.
2. Nose Plier
3. 100mm cable ties.
4. Tie cutter.
Procedure:
Power off the deck and move to a neat working table.
Eject the cassette compartment.
Firmly hold the Cassette Compartment Door as shown in the below Fig. and gently apply pressure from down to upwards.
Now the door disengages from its holder and move it a safe place.
Remove the top cover. To do this need to remove 8 screws. Three from each side and two from Rear side of the deck. Note here the Side screws and Rear side screws are different type.
Keep the deck downwards (Top side down) and remove the mechanism inspection cover. To do this remove four screws shown in below Fig.
Remove five Front Panel fixing screws. Note here screws marked 1, 2 & 3 are same size and 4 & 5 are another size.
Rotate the deck upwards and remove the Front Panel two top side fixing screws.
Gently move the Front Panel assemble forward (Towards front side).
To replace the belt need to remove the mechanism Capstan Motor assembly plate. To do this need to remove five screws (PH1 head). Three are in left side and two are in rear side of the mechanism.
First remove the side screws. Screwdriver accessing of these screws are difficult. So first remove the small side plate which marked as A in below Fig. To remove the plate remove the two arrowed screws and lift the plate upwards.
Now it is easy to remove the Capstan Motor assembly plate screws.
After removing all five small screws move the Capstan Motor assembly plate (marked 'B') towards rear. If required cut the circled cable tie.
Remove the worn out belt.
Encircle new belt over both Capstan Fly Wheels and Motor pulley as it was. Gently rotate the fly wheel one or two rotation.
Everything is ok mount the Capstan Motor assembly plate back.
Please note here, there are two Pressure Pads (a small copper washer kind ; shown below Fig) are there in between Capstan Fly Wheels and Capstan Motor assembly plate. Most of the time it falls once the Capstan Motor assembly plate moved. Carefully put back (The hard task in the process) before tighten the Capstan Motor assembly plate screws.
Fix back all screws / covers in reverse process.
Just check two plastic washers in the Capstan which arrowed in below Fig and if required just push back before putting back the cassette compartment door.
Connect and enjoy your favorite Cassettes.
Required Tools:
1. Screwdriver PH2 and PH1 sizes.
2. Nose Plier
3. 100mm cable ties.
4. Tie cutter.
Procedure:
Power off the deck and move to a neat working table.
Eject the cassette compartment.
Firmly hold the Cassette Compartment Door as shown in the below Fig. and gently apply pressure from down to upwards.
Now the door disengages from its holder and move it a safe place.
Remove the top cover. To do this need to remove 8 screws. Three from each side and two from Rear side of the deck. Note here the Side screws and Rear side screws are different type.
Keep the deck downwards (Top side down) and remove the mechanism inspection cover. To do this remove four screws shown in below Fig.
Remove five Front Panel fixing screws. Note here screws marked 1, 2 & 3 are same size and 4 & 5 are another size.
Rotate the deck upwards and remove the Front Panel two top side fixing screws.
Gently move the Front Panel assemble forward (Towards front side).
To replace the belt need to remove the mechanism Capstan Motor assembly plate. To do this need to remove five screws (PH1 head). Three are in left side and two are in rear side of the mechanism.
First remove the side screws. Screwdriver accessing of these screws are difficult. So first remove the small side plate which marked as A in below Fig. To remove the plate remove the two arrowed screws and lift the plate upwards.
Now it is easy to remove the Capstan Motor assembly plate screws.
After removing all five small screws move the Capstan Motor assembly plate (marked 'B') towards rear. If required cut the circled cable tie.
Remove the worn out belt.
Encircle new belt over both Capstan Fly Wheels and Motor pulley as it was. Gently rotate the fly wheel one or two rotation.
Everything is ok mount the Capstan Motor assembly plate back.
Please note here, there are two Pressure Pads (a small copper washer kind ; shown below Fig) are there in between Capstan Fly Wheels and Capstan Motor assembly plate. Most of the time it falls once the Capstan Motor assembly plate moved. Carefully put back (The hard task in the process) before tighten the Capstan Motor assembly plate screws.
Fix back all screws / covers in reverse process.
Just check two plastic washers in the Capstan which arrowed in below Fig and if required just push back before putting back the cassette compartment door.
Connect and enjoy your favorite Cassettes.
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