krbahr wrote:
That should not be pushing the cable up like yours, it just keeps it from going under the pickup as it moves back. Something else is making it arc up that high.
Thanks for your help with this.
So I assume from your comments that what I thought I was seeing in the video linked to above is more or less correct. That tab does sit higher than the base of the white strip behind it though, so I have to conclude that it must put some upwards slant on the cable as it leaves the laser assy, even if mine is greatly exaggerated over what it should be. What would be really helpful for me right now is if someone has or can link to a photo/video that shows more clearly just how the cable should be sitting. In that video it's taken from the LHS of the player where it's obscured or at best overhead and not well focused. It would be good to get a clear view of how it should look from the same view as my photo above.
As to what has caused it to to arc up so much the only idea I have is the sticking of the cable as per my first post. If you look at the first photo above the cable is sticking to the grey metal plate that it's resting on, right about where the part number is printed. Imagine pinning it down there with your finger and then the laser moving back; this would cause the cable to arc/bunch up between that point and the laser assy. At this stage it is sticking such that a small amount of force is needed to lift it off and a slight 'tick' can be heard as it unsticks and lifts off.
My guess/theory is that whatever has contaminated there has been getting progressively tackier over time and so holding the cable more securely to it. Up to now I guess that as the laser moves back the arc of the cable has built up enough pressure to unstick it before it arcs enough to make contact with the disc. Now it must be sticking too much and the cable arcs to the point of just touching the disc.
I've noticed too that when I do lift the cable off the plate that it seems to retain the bend/shape it is already in as per the photo. Perhaps this process has been going on for so long that it has bent/reshaped the cable such that the excessive arc is now somewhat fixed.
My thought is to thoroughly clean this metal plate and the underside of the cable to eliminate this sticking. (I'd appreciate any thoughts on what is the best solution to do this with?) So long as the cable doesn't stick and bunch up, I'm pretty sure there should be sufficient clearance maintained between it and the disc.
Then perhaps, over time, with that constant sticking & bunching process removed, the cable may begin to return to more its original shape. I'm reluctant to try to reshape it myself unless absolutely necessary in case I end up damaging it.
Does my planned approach seem reasonable to you?