[rcag_ils]

I have had this AR XA turnable for quite sometime, and it works great except for the tonearm.

I lubed the bearing (the plastic part is a bit chewed up, but not too bad). I tried to adjust the cueing , but after the adjustment, it started skipping during play, and the cueing is very inconsistent. I made the adjust in according with it's manual.

Welcome any suggestion.

[planet10]

These arms are very crudely made. At this point it is time to replace it with something else. You want something that is not to heavy.

I have put Maywares, Grace 707, Hadcock, and a Black Widow on these. I have one now i plan on retro-fitting one of the better, late model straight tonearms on (keep an eye out you can usually pick these up for $5-$10).

If push comes to shove i could possibly scare one up for cost of shipping.

dave

[Wayner]

An AR-XA does not have cueing. Perhaps you have an AR-XB? At any rate, the foam washer on the top of the threaded stem that is used to stop the arm from free-fall (because it doesn't have a cueing mechanism), has completely disintegrated. Also sounds like the side set-screw/pivots may be too tight. Loosen one up just a little to get the play back into the horizontal pivot. If you have a guard for your stylus, you might want to put it on while you are playing with this. If the arm is skipping, I have to ask, what did  you use for lubrication of the shaft in the well, and is the ball bearing in there?

The AR arm, while looking like primative BS, is a very musical arm and in the right hands, can be brought to life.

Wayner 

[rcag_ils]

It's a XA, side bearing not too tight, ball bearing in the well, and I use mobil 1 oil.

The slow free fall is unpredictable, so is the tracking force. It's right for a short period of time, then it's way off.

during play, it skips, or doesn't move forward. I am meticulous, whatever needs to be there, it's there, unless some parts has worn out over the years, like some of the foam parts.

[Wayner]

It's a XA, side bearing not too tight, ball bearing in the well, and I use mobil 1 oil.

The slow free fall is unpredictable, so is the tracking force. It's right for a short period of time, then it's way off.

during play, it skips, or doesn't move forward. I am meticulous, whatever needs to be there, it's there, unless some parts has worn out over the years, like some of the foam parts.

Mobil One is too heavy of a viscosity for the tonearm bearing, IMHO. The gap is too small. I would use 3 in 1 sewing machine oil here, in the bearing well. As far as the arm sticking, you probably need to dissassembly the head unit and clean out the brass barrel and sleeve. I'm sure it is full of junk and goo. Brass is naturally oily and over time, has collected all kinds of dust and grime. This needs to be totally cleaned, and re-lubed. Frank talked about cleaning out the arm assembly in (I think) 1983 Audio Basics and describes in detail how to exactly go about this and what products to use to get the job done correctly.

Wayner 

[Ericus Rex]

Does it have adjustable tracking force?  If so, you may have inadvertantly altered the tracking force while 'adjusting'.  Same with anti-skate.  Skipping can occur with too little/much anti-skating, especially with lighter VTF.  Check those two things before throwing the whole thing in the garbage.

[rcag_ils]

Whatever that needs to be cleaned, has been cleaned. Disassembered, and reassembled, adjusted in according with the original AR manual.

I appreciate all your inputs, but so far, it's like... "it doesn't light up." "did you turn power on?"

[gerald porzio]

Might be time to think about "rearming" the table if the AR XA is in your future.