PCE CDROM2 Plastic Grip on Spiraled Rod broke during shipping

[zarrsh]

Greetings!

So It started with emulation but now my interest in the PC Engine has gotten so great I had to get the hardware. I order an original unit with IFU & CDROM2. All my testing and research so far it appears that its not middle gear related, but a different plastic piece that grips the spindle rod that slides the laser assembly up and down the disc.


My guess at this time the top plastic/magnet combo that comes down to grip the disc must have broke during shipment. This magnet might have also put additional weight or stress (or unrelated) on the tiny white plastic pieces that grip around the spiraled rod that spins to move the laser up/down the disc.


I have no idea where I can get this part, I wrongfully ordered a 2nd gear since all the symptoms were correct for that, but from what I can tell that is ok. Seller said the unit was working with CDRoms before they shipped.

There is some give in the distance on the spiraled rod side where I have to push the lens on that side  a few millimeters to try and simulate grabbing this rod with the spiraled teeth. When I manually spin the Gears twisting this rod, it will not move the lens when I make it have physical contact. There is basically nothing gripping the grooves on this rod and I don't know how to get a spare part or even jimmy rig some type of solution at the moment.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, I'm looking forward to playing this new console on the original hardware, this thing blows my mind haha.

[Keith Courage]

No one makes replacements for those plastic pieces that hold the lens on the spindle rod as your mentioned. Also, I have never come across any other CD drive besides a pc engine or turbo CD drive with that part. Meaning the only way to get another one is to get another pc engine CD or turbo grafx drive. Sony discmans do not have it.

The only other option is to try and glue the plastic pieces that broke back on again. I have done this many times with about a 85% success rate. I usually use some super glue to hold the pieces in place and then take some two part epoxy over the outer portion of the cracks where the pieces broke. Wait 24 hours for glue to dry before testing. Even if the glue says it sets in 5 minutes you must wait.

[zarrsh]

Thanks for the suggestion, is there a pic of what the piece is supposed to look like so I make sure I get it right?

Also as far as the lid magnet and plastic piece that holds the magnet, it looks like its just simple 3 plastic tabs that barely hold this into place. I'm thinking I'll just glue that back in place, or am I missing more pieces?

If I can't embed images check here
https://goo.gl/photos/MwUoK4nkqugZAN9h9
https://goo.gl/photos/E4fqGhbxfaoJoJx58

[Keith Courage]

There is supposed to be a metal ring that holds the magnet up. The 3/holes you see are for the screws that hold said ring in place. I'll post some pics in a bit.







Ring that holds magnet in place.

[zarrsh]

Ahhh, perfect view thats the piece alright! Hopefully I can glue it back together

For the lid though I actually do have the metallic piece in place, it seems like the inner black plastic piece that has 3 smaller tabs on the inner diameter, are what hold that magnet in place. It seems like there isn't enough on the tab to really lock into place well. So I might end up trying to glue that as well, so magnet dosn't fall out again (I suspect this might have dropped during shipping from Japan )

[Keith Courage]

The magnet is supposed to flop around. Just not fall out.

[zarrsh]

Sweet, I got my part middle gear replaced and the little gear rod grabbing piece that was shattered during shipping. Any recommendations on the type of grease or lubricant to use on the metal rod and gears? From what I heard there is "Tamiya" brand something, I am curious to know what are the recommended and locations for pickup.

i.e. Go to Hobby Lobby for _____ grease
 Order from Amazon ______lubricant

Thanks, I'm almost there I want to make sure its properly lubricated since I have it all apart currently, although I'm excited and trying to get it back up and running to play.

[MNKyDeth]

I have been using a Molykote 44 Medium on the metal rods that the lens slides across. It is a touch thick but seems to hold up well and I have seen no issues with it.

White petroleum is also ok, you just want one that doesn't have an oil base if I remember correctly as it can eat plastic. I could be wrong on this though. This is why I started using the Molykote as it has a high rating of compatibility with plastics.

Make sure to clean every last bit of the old grease on the rods and such before applying anything new as you don't want issues from the two different greases mixing.

[zarrsh]

Hi Guys, just to let everyone know this story has a happy ending. I got the drive working again! I used gorilla glue on the plastic piece that held the magnet to the disc at the top (after removing the metal colored piece with 3 screws) Don't worry the top piece does still move freely. I ended up going with a silicone grease from my local hobbie shop because I couldn't wait any longer to get some grease for it. So far working well. Thanks again everyone for the help!