I have this issue with my CLD-D502. On most of my disks it will make this noise that sounds like the disc is moving on the spindle, but I don't know what to look for.
I've posted a video if that would help(My editing sucks) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQaRXpVRO_M

Volume was really too low to hear on my laptop. But those kind of issues are commonly the spindle motor bearings just starting to wear.

I tried to fix the audio, but it's more noticeable on Side A than when It's on Side B.

PIONEER PARTS has a substitute spindle motor, part no. VXA2107, that they allegedly currently have on back-order;

http://parts.pioneerelectronics.com/par ... um=VXA2107

$62.00 less shipping, a fair price to pay if you really dig this model of LDP, have a pristine example,
and know how to swap out the motor yourself. otherwise, one could probably get another copy
of this LDP for less...

really hard to hear.
i want to say it could be the rubber mat slipping.
if you didn't replace it, that would make it about an 18 year old piece of rubber drying up, it's also very thin.
it sounds like skipping brp-brp-brp-brp-brp and that sounds like slipping of the grip from the rubber.
BUT i can only hear it about the middle of the video you posted.

and is it only on start up of the disc??

________________________________
the rein-o official signature:

It's all the time but that's the sound it has been making but I can try to get a better recording of the sound.

That was my first guess as well as I have had it happen on two players that I had to buy new spindle motors. It often or may sound very loud squeaking!

well, if it's all the time then it could the be as posted before.
i would just use it and look into getting the part to fix, may not be expensive??
ask ldservice, krbhar or grasshopper to sell you the part, if they have extras.

________________________________
the rein-o official signature:

I've talked to ldservice and I'm going to send my player in to get repaired.

Well, repairs are go! I found a shop about 60 miles away that said if they can find the part,
that they would fix it.

UPDATE. Noise had gotten worse. They didn't change the spindle motor, but did change the rubber disc and the plastic portion of the clamper. I shelved the unit until I can get it repaired else where. I put my DVL-700 in its place and I'm probably just going to retire the D502.

Are you saying that Laserdiscservice.com took your player, did work to it, and returned it? I think there are a lot of folks here that would be interested in that information...

No, it was a Pioneer dealer in Amarillo, Texas. I considered sending it to ldservice, but I couldn't contact him again after I talked to him about it a few times.

Fortunate that you stopped hearing from him before sending in the player!

(Has anyone tried putting in a drop or few of synthetic oil in the spindle motor? I hear that works for some things...)

I might try that. I opened it up, and tried to see if the spindle had play in the bearings and sure enough I could move the shaft side-to-side. I'm sure it's going to need a new motor.

If you need a new motor, I have a CLD-D505 that was working about a year ago, but then just wouldn't power on (I suspect it is the power supply fuse that popped.) If anyone can confirm that it uses the same spindle as your 502, I can sell it to you.

EDIT: Nevermind, they don't share the same motor . . .

CLD-D505 Motor - VXA2271

CLD-D502 Motor - VXA1900

Yup, the 501/2, 503, and 504-6 are three different lineages. The motor core of the 505 even works on DVL's btw.

Also I think it's easy enough to snip out the fuse/MOV part, there are lots of posts by people who've actually done it.