Thanks ProGram. I did watch the video.  Swivels seem fine and have been luvricated - I'll take a pic of bent arm and post. How to get the damper going again? 

link

Just to clarify - it was the damper that bent the arm, not solenoid

Steve, I am not an expert here, so be cautious with my advice.

I have the same Beogram and had the same problem with the damper.

After cleaning and lubricating I adjusted the damper speed with the little screw (in the right bottom corner of your picture).

The screw with the red laquer on it.

I do this from memory and it is about 10 years ago I did it, so I am not 100% sure.

Besides this link to maintenance of the solenoid and damper - link (same as the YouTube one mentioned above), you should also look at about a seized solenoid and tonearm linkage. It is very similar on the Beogram 4002/4004.

Steve wrote:

Just to clarify - it was the damper that bent the arm, not solenoid

Ok if you think so, but keep in mind that the damper is no active part. But you are right: the arm is not in the right angle. It should be straight (more or less), when you look from above. 

Maybe you use a grease, that is too sticky. Can you clean again and try a different? And "play" with the little screw at the end of the damper. 

Chris

ProGram wrote:

Steve wrote:

Just to clarify - it was the damper that bent the arm, not solenoid

Ok if you think so, but keep in mind that the damper is no active part. But you are right: the arm is not in the right angle. It should be straight (more or less), when you look from above. 

Maybe you use a grease, that is too sticky. Can you clean again and try a different? And "play" with the little screw at the end of the damper. 

 

Chris

I don't see how the solenoid, connected or not connected to the damper, would have the power to bend metal like that. The solenoid is not that powerful and the damper is just a small amount of compressed air to delay the arm lowering by about a second. It had to be bent at some point by a human. I'm not accusing you of doing it but someone had to have bent that metal bar in the past (accidentally or not).

I would recommend removing it and trying to straighten it. Then go through the adjustment procedures the Beolover videos describe. Make sure all of the moving components (including the tonearm raising and lowering lever) all move easily by hand.

-sonavor

Perhaps the air hole of the damper (adjusted with "that little screw") is completely closed. The damper certainly won't go around bending metal parts...

Thanks all - i'll try bending and re-look at the damper. I tried to turn the screw on the back, but it's stuck tight. Any advice on how to loosen?

Which screw? Can you post a picture of it?