In the last couple of weeks, I've noticed that the unit is getting gradually harder to insert/extract from the sled.

I haven't changed my installation at all (the sled's mounting has not changed and I haven't opened up the dash in about two months). The sled is not visibly warped or twisted in any way, it looks just like it did when I installed it.

The little "bumps" that guide the unit into place seem to be getting tighter and tighter as time goes by. The scratches on the case where the bumps slide along it seem to be getting deeper, especially the ones on the sides of the case.

Is this a known problem, and is there a known work-around? Has anyone had similar experiences, or does anyone have any tips to offer?

Tony Fabris
Empeg #144

If the locating bumps on each side of the sled get rough, the empeg case starts to scratch deeply, which roughens the bumps even more, and the cycle continues. Smooth down the bumps with some very fine glasspaper, and the edge of the empeg case as well if you're careful - but take care not to get metal dust in the side vents.

Rob

Thanks for the quick and precise reply, Rob! I'll try that when I get home tonight.

The customer service from you guys is fantastic. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Rob, you da man!


Tony Fabris
Empeg #144

Oh no, if we're not careful this is going to become realtime!

Posting to the BBS at half past midnight on a Friday night (ermm.. Saturday morning) may say something about my social life, but I'll try to make up for it by being no help at all over the weekend :-)

Rob

Well, Rob, you're still "da man" in my book, but sanding down the positioning bumps didn't really help. Well, it helped a bit, but they started to get roughed up again after a few pulls.

I have a theory as to why...

The act of inserting/removing the Empeg (as well as the act of sanding down the bumps) makes the bumps flatter, i.e., have flat more surface area on the tops of the bumps. More surface area=more friction.

I am considering borrowing a friend's Dremel tool and grinding the bumps down quite a bit more. What do you think of that idea?

Tony Fabris
Empeg #144

Try slicking them up with some parafin wax or some silicon spray.

Try slicking them up with some parafin wax or some silicon spray.

Been there, done that. I can't spray directly into the sled (I'd get it onto the contacts, which would be a Bad Thing), but I've put a little lubricant onto the bumps with my fingertip. It helps a bit for just a couple of insertions, then it rubs off. And it makes the Empeg oily- and since I move the Empeg amongst three different indoor locations, an oily Empeg is also a Bad Thing.

I've got some other things I'm going to try today. I'll let you know how it works out.

Tony Fabris
Empeg #144

Well, I took care of the problem. Not a big deal.

I came to the conclusion that there were only two positioning bumps that were giving me grief. The ones on the sides, closest to the front of the player. The ones in the back and on the top and bottom were fine.

So I just pounded on those two bumps with a hammer. Now the Empeg slides in and out like butter again. All is well.




Tony Fabris
Empeg #144

Blimey, Tony!!

Hey, a wise engineer once said, "When all else fails, use brute force."

Tony Fabris
Empeg #144

...and Toshiba's entire disk engineering department said:

"AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH"

(whilst clutching at their hearts and collapsing slowly to the ground)

Oh, no, you're getting me totally wrong. I didn't pound on the player. The positioning bumps are inside the sled. I couldn't even get to the bumps unless the player was removed (and at a safe distance).



Tony Fabris
Empeg #144

It was told to me as "If it doesn't fit, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway!"

(grin)

It was told to me as "If it doesn't fit, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway!"

Nah, different axioms. That's not an engineer talking. That's an auto mechanic. (Mine, I think.)

Tony Fabris
Empeg #144

I used a dremel tool to cut arround three sides of two bumps on one side of the sled. It worked great for me. You can see a picture of what I did at the bottom of my pic page at Brian's Empeg.