Replace the Rubber Idler Tire for Nakamichi CR-5

My Nakamichi CR-5 sometimes has trouble rewinding. If not used for a day, it'd take a few attempts before it could rewind again. That is because the rubber idler tire is too old (30+ years) and no longer had enough gripping force on the spindle. I purchased a new one from fixyouraudio and replaced the old one. Unfortunately, I lost the little plastic washer in the process. I made one from a plastic sheet and it worked fine. The wow and flutter also improved a bit (<0.03%).

Some models in the CR series use gears instead of rubber tires. Both have their merits. The rubber tire can have issues after some years, but it can be easily replaced. The gear drive is certainly more stable, but if they ever break, good luck finding replacements (3D printing then).

On the other hand, the tension belt has turned into goo after so many years. I cleaned it up. This belt is not critical as the deck can run without it. The problem is the lack of proper tape tension increases the risk of eating tapes. It has eaten a few so far. I'm going to change it at some point.

Update: Ordered the belt on 10/5/2020. It was SBO3.2 (square belt, orbicular 3.2 Inch) from turntableneedles.com (Frsp 8.97 will work too). I replaced the belt and the deck rarely ate any tape ever since.

Note: Since the back tension belt is not critical to the deck's performance, it is ok to use a good-quality generic replacement (SBO3.2 here). The main drive belt (capstan) is very critical though. Luckily, mine is fine.

Idler tire (accessed by removing the door and a metal panel)

(The tension belt has been removed here)

Idler Tire for Nakamichi CR-5 (tension belt missing))

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