How to Repair Cassette Belts
- 1). Unplug the cassette player.
- 2). Remove the component cover, or housing, by unscrewing the screws located on the bottom or side of your player. Turn the player over and remove the cover panel as well to gain access to the entire drive belt system.
- 3). Unscrew or unplug any components blocking easy access to the drive belt, such as leads or circuit boards. Make a note of where the components came from in order to replace them in their correct positions.
- 4). Draw a diagram or make a mental note of the belt's path through the player and carefully remove the old belt from the system. To speed up the process, cut the belt into pieces before removing it.
- 5). Thread the new belt through the system following the diagram. Wear cotton gloves to keep your skin from touching the belt and use tweezers or a screwdriver to wrap the belt around the motor pulleys.
- 6). Check for any twists in the belt. If you don't see any evidence of twists, turn the pulleys by hand to make sure that the belt moves smoothly. Make any necessary adjustments as needed.
- 7). Reassemble the player by replacing each component in its original location.
- 8). Clean the belt regularly to prolong its lifespan. Dip a cotton swab in denatured alcohol and rub the swab along the belt while turning the motor pulleys by hand.
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