Since 1999
Phono Wheel Help!
Not sure of what wheel or turret(s) you need? If the guidance on this page still leaves you wondering, Contact us by email with as much information as possible so that we can help you determine what you need and avoid the nuisance of returns. If you email, please put us on your “safe list” so that you will get our reply – or call by phone.
Many wheels and turrets look alike but are not interchangeable, so don’t rely only on the pictures for part identification. The information below is in order of highest helpfulness to lowest helpfulness:
• V-M idler wheels usually have the V-M part number molded or printed on the wheel. The most common and their equivalents are:
- VM 22523, 22915, 24428, 35429, 42136, 45000 … order 1496-05.
Note: You may see “VM 35429 M.R.” on the wheel – the “M.R.” is the supplier’s initials
(Minnesota Rubber).
- VM 7435, 9092, 19388, 21394, 24700 … order 1499-09
- VM 3481, 3481A … order 1434
- VM 2772 … order 1432
• The record changer in your GE, Motorola, Zenith or other brand phono may have been built by V-M Corporation in which case we know what you need. Click on Do I have a V-M record changer? to find out.
• The Walsco, Electro-Voice(EV) or General Cement (GC) industry standard replacement part number for the idler wheel or turret (eg 1496-05 from a catalog or a package of a previously replaced part)
• Phono idler wheels for BSR, Garrard, Magnavox (Collaro), and Webcor record changers are usually easy to distinguish by visually comparing the original wheel to the replacements shown (search by Brand). Compare to the measurements given for confirmation.
• Choose the “Popular” selection in the “Search by Specialty Category” to see pictures of our biggest sellers such as the 1496-05 (V-M), 1499-34 (BSR), 1479 (Garrard), 1449 (Magnavox) and others.
• The following information can also be helpful but it may be necessary to Contact us by email for lookup of the appropriate record player idler/drive wheel or turret.
• The equipment manufacturer’s replacement part number (eg RCA 74077 from the RCA service manual for an RP 190 series 45 player)
• The series model number of the record changer in a phono (eg Admiral RC 900 series)
• The specific model number of the turntable, record changer, record player, phonograph, or console (eg Zenith HPS-50)
Measurements of the actual part are supporting data but like pictures, are not definitive as there are other features of the part that may be important. Here is some specific information on the measures:
• ID: The inner diameter of the wheel or turret, which should be fairly close to the dimension of the part in your model, or its not the right part. If the wheel has a shaft, then the ID is actually the outer diameter of the shaft.
• OD: The outer diameter of the rubber portion of the wheel or turret. If the wheel is a double wheel (with two rubber drives) then the OD is the outer diameter of the largest wheel. The effective replacement wheel can vary some on this dimension from your original. In addition the rubber on your original has probably shrunk over time.
• Height (where provided): The height is measured from the top of the bearing to the bottom of the bearing. This is not necessarily how “tall” the wheel is if placed on a table and measured.
• Thickness (where provided): For wheels with a uniform and measurable rubber thickness. Some wheels are similar on every other measure and this is the “tie breaker”.
If you email or call and we can’t determine what you need from the above information, we will quote the wheel as a custom rebuild. Not more expensive, but does take longer if it turns out to be an item that is not in stock. Custom rebuilding assumes the hub of your old wheel is in good shape so that the wheel can be rebuilt.
Some information about idler wheels and record changer performance:
• A single step idler wheel is not the cause of a speed accuracy issue. The problem lies elsewhere (usually the motor). If the double step idler wheel is rebuilt properly, a speed issue could still exist due to the motor or some other cause.
• A replacement idler wheel is not a cure-all for “turntable slows down in cycle”. There are other potential causes, such as old, sticky lubrication. See FAQ and Restoration Tips.
Defective rebuilt wheels (rare event!) will be replaced at our cost to ship the replacement. However, there are some instances when a good wheel will not work well in a phono due to some other phono issue. Email or call with as much information as you can and we will attempt to help you resolve the issue or advise that you take it in for professional service.
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V-M Audio Enthusiasts -37530 E. Meadowhill Dr. - Northville, MI
48167
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