[CraigSteele2001]

I still use a personal CD player and have done for many years now (at least 14 years).

I find after a few years the three ball barings on the spindle fall out, then having to buy a new CD player just because of this problem.

Anyone any idea where you can get a replacement spindle from or how to stop them springing out?

[Soundbox]

You need the whole spindle motor which comes with the platter and bearings. It is not possible to just change the platter as it is glued to a preset position on the spindle which corresponds to the laser focus mid-point. You would need a screwdriver set and understand how the machine is fixed together - you cannot change the spindle motor without opening the machine.

As to keeping the bearings in I don't know - I have never seen a player with any missing.

[CraigSteele2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundbox

As to keeping the bearings in I don't know - I have never seen a player with any missing.

I have had CD players lasting anything up to 2 years, then one day you play a CD, take it from the machine and out pops one of the ball bearings. It can play a CD with 2 of the 3 bearings, but isn't ideal

[chrisjr]

Just to clarify. Where exactly are these ball bearing of which you speak? I have never seen any in/on the spindle of a CD. That is the bit that sits under the disk and is spun by the motor.

Or do you mean the top clamp that on a personal CD often sits in the lid and presses down on the top of the disk?

[CraigSteele2001]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisjr

Just to clarify. Where exactly are these ball bearing of which you speak? I have never seen any in/on the spindle of a CD. That is the bit that sits under the disk and is spun by the motor.

Or do you mean the top clamp that on a personal CD often sits in the lid and presses down on the top of the disk?

It's the little circle clamp that you put the CD onto for it to play; as shown in this pic as a spindle platter http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/rp7903a.gif

on this pic shows it with a CD on it http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze...p/openlids.jpg

[chrisjr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigSteele2001

It's the little circle clamp that you put the CD onto for it to play; as shown in this pic as a spindle platter http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/rp7903a.gif

on this pic shows it with a CD on it http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2gt8w/images/pcdp/openlids.jpg

Right see what you mean now. You don't generally get that spindle type on players that don't move about much, which I'm more used to. Was forgetting that portables need a way to clamp the disk more securely.

I would imagine that the problem is caused by extracting the disk which puts strain on the clamp mechanism. I suspect the makers were assuming users would lift the disks precisely vertically with the disk perfectly level. Rather than take the disk out at an angle as I suspect many do.

Not sure how you can solve the problem. Apart maybe by modifying how you remove the disks. So that you keep the disk level and pull it vertically upwards so you put a more even force on the mechanism. Maybe also try gently pressing a finger on the spindle through the hole in the centre of the disk might help as you release it.