BEOGRAM 5500 stutters and bounces on return [video]

11 replies
KK
Offline
kknyc
Silver
Posted January 16, 2026 at 21:19 GMT
#1645369
HI Beoworld,

After replacing all rubber parts, fixing guide wire, and getting a new cartridge. I noticed something that I'm so far unable to correct:

At the end of record play the arm returns, slightly 'shutters', then bounces of the end of travel only to floating back into the platter area.

Ive tried adjusting the "eccentric B wheel" as well as F and G adjustments, the start of play is correct for both sizes. It just seems like the return speed is too fast?? —making the arm want to bounce back. (see vid) IF I then re-press play, it will play correctly. If I stop it before the end of the record, it will return with a shutter but no bounce. (see end of vid)

Note: Using the <<, >> during play works fine but that <<,>> speed is much slower than the 'end of play' return speed.

Could this have anything to do with the photo LED light? or just a mechanical adjustment?

Im new to all things B&O so I appreciate any thoughts, ideas, direction I can take. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 
Attachments (1)

My B&O Icons:

Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Musician with a love of all things mechanical
KK
Offline
kknyc
Silver
Posted January 16, 2026 at 23:54 GMT
#1672506
link
BEOGRAM 5500 arm

My B&O Icons:

Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Musician with a love of all things mechanical
Mark-sf
Offline
Mark-sf
Bronze
Posted January 17, 2026 at 20:56 GMT
#1672523
Looks to me that you have got the gears aligned underneath when you reassembled. There is a procedure explained in the service manual.
KK
Offline
kknyc
Silver
Posted January 17, 2026 at 21:16 GMT
Edited January 18, 2026 at 13:35 GMT
#1672524
hi, thanks for the suggestion. (I never disassembled the gears just replaced belts). I followed the SM 5.1 to set the gear, then attached the wire guide.

Is there more to the procedure? —Hmm, I feel like Im missing something

 
Attachments (1)

My B&O Icons:

Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Musician with a love of all things mechanical
DI
Offline
Dillen
BronzeModeratorFounder
Posted January 28, 2026 at 18:14 GMT
#1672620
Two cables run from the muting board to the carriage.
They go under a black plastic holding bracket.
At the bracket pull the cables just 3-4mm towards the carriage - add a dap of glue to them at the bracket, if they won't sit by themselves in this new position.

Martin
KK
Offline
kknyc
Silver
Posted January 28, 2026 at 18:52 GMT
Edited January 28, 2026 at 18:54 GMT
#1672623
HI Martin, Thanks so much for the tip, I'll try that today.

I had to re-read it a few times to 'visualize it', but now that I think about it there was a thin black plastic 'cable harness clip' under there that was dried out and broken—I figured no worries since there was still that 'black screen' holding the cables down out of the way of travel. I try a dab of hot glue (in hopes it could be removed if needed)

Please let me know if Ive misunderstood your suggestion,

Thanks K

 

PS—open to any all glue/adhesive suggestions.

And does anyone have any suggestions for BEOs dried out plastic parts? Is there a way to revive them (ie 303 spray?) or maybe I should just 3d print new ones? (its just chore for each custom one-off part)

 

 
Attachments (1)

My B&O Icons:

Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Musician with a love of all things mechanical
KK
Offline
kknyc
Silver
Posted February 2, 2026 at 00:27 GMT
Edited February 2, 2026 at 16:10 GMT
#1672662
today I finally got a chance to open up the Beogram again. Without that clip, you could see the cable bunch up (at "A") against the Platterlock then bounce back after the arm return ends.
@Dillen Thanks for the tip, I hot glued the cables  (adjusted by the clip dents in the cable)—it helped some, the bounce is less. 👍
I'd love to find a new/nos/replacement clip(s), Please let me know if anyone knows of a source or has 5500 parts for sale. Thanks While this helped. theres still a little 'stutter' at the end of travel. It sounds and looks like the gears are still trying to push the arm after its reached its 'end of travel'  (see attached vid clip). This is my 1st B&O so I have no idea what the 'norm' is, could an experienced 'Beo owner' confirm...
  • is this a normal return? (speed seems fast)
  • Are there any marks on the gears (like a car engine) to set 'top dead center' so the gearing and 'end of travel' is calibrated?
  • Is there a way to set the 'end of travel'? (I only see stylus 'set down' points in the Service Manual as an adjustment)
Thanks for an insights <PS Lastly, how do we add vid clips in the posts in this forum? —I can't seem to figure that out 😅>
Attachments (1)

My B&O Icons:

Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Musician with a love of all things mechanical
Mark-sf
Offline
Mark-sf
Bronze
Posted February 4, 2026 at 22:40 GMT
#1672695
Those adjustments are spelled out in Sections 5.1 and 5.3 of the service manual.
KK
Offline
kknyc
Silver
Posted February 4, 2026 at 22:44 GMT
Edited February 4, 2026 at 22:47 GMT
#1672696
HI Mark, Yes, as stated earlier thats what I followed. Could you add anything from your own experience that might help? Could you offer any insight to the questions I asked in my previous post?

My B&O Icons:

Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Musician with a love of all things mechanical
Mark-sf
Offline
Mark-sf
Bronze
Posted February 5, 2026 at 16:39 GMT
#1672699
It looks like a normal return. The electronics cannot fail in a manner that would only speed up the return.
or
BeoWorld Gold Membership card
Join BeoWorld

Register to access the forums, reference material, and exclusive member benefits — including our monthly prize draw.

Become a Member

December 2026 Prize Draw

Gold Members Only

As a Gold member you're automatically entered into our exclusive prize draw — your chance to win iconic Bang & Olufsen products. A unique benefit of BeoWorld Gold membership, every draw brings a new opportunity to win something special.

View Prize Go For Gold