They are a push on item. If you get a blade under both sides you can safely lever them off. On your own head be it!!

In my experience, the belts are always knackered at this age. Speed and stability are both affected by a loose belt. The motor pulley is tiny when compared to the platter diameter and any slippage on the motor will be magnified at the record. I fit a new belt to every deck I sell, it makes a vast difference to the sound quality.

[quote user="filip_kbh"] It looks like it operates normally. However, I have a small belt problem. My belt seems to run very unstable on the side to the right of the motor but only in 33 rpm mode and it creates quite a bit of noise. Any suggestions? It seems that if I pull the floating suspension away from me that it is more stable. [/quote

I confirm that the only difference is the cosmetic finish. They are 100% interchangeable.

I don't believe it has much to do with the economic climate as cassette decks of any description have been a hard to sell item for many years. How many people, out in the real world, still use cassette tapes?? Not many. If they don't work, they are hardly worth fixing, as the associated costs will probably not be recovered.

Here is my reply to Earle in response to an email he sent to me. In my experience, from a purely sonic viewpoint, re-foaming is NOT an option. They will sound crap! The foams are MUCH less pliable than the original flimsy rubber material, the result is restricted travel of the cone and subsequent change of sound characteristics of the woofer. $180 per

!

I use these http://www.maplin.co.uk/6-and-12v-6a-miniaturerelays-2525

Hi Rex, The speakers described should be no problem at all, in my opinion.

If you told them the truth you could only put buyers off. You will be better saying "I honestly don't know". At £50 or thereabouts and still working, what is to worry about?????