Tascam TSR-8 help: Replacing Capstan Belt

[ChouxGazer]

Hello!

I purchased a Tascam TSR-8 from a friend about a year ago. I've been using it in conjunction with the Tascam M-216 board and it has been great.

Anyway, about a month ago it stopped working. I took it apart and realized that the capstan belt had slipped off. I put it back on, it worked for 2 weeks and happened again. Then again. Now the belt has got a little bend/nick in it. I ordered a replacement and just got it in. Now I am trying to figure out the least intrusive way to get in so I can run the belt around the drive, since it seems like the whole drive peice needs to come out. From the front and take out EVERYTHING or is there an easier way?

Also, is there any way to help prevent the slippage in the future or should the new belt take care of that problem?

Any help would be very, very appreciated!
Thanks!
~e

[jpmorris]

I've never actually done this, and the maintenance manual doesn't go into details, but I think the only way it can be done is by removing the front.
Years ago I did remove the tape lifter assembly which is much the same thing.

First, with the front off, you should then see something like this:
http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...tsr8_naked.png
(I put the rollers back on it in this picture - they have to be removed first to get the faceplate off.)

I think what you do is remove the plate which the heads are attached to - there's about 4 screws and the whole thing comes out as a unit.
Then you remove the assembly beneath, which is what the capstan itself is attached to. This comes out, and at that point the belt will fall off. How you get it back on, I can't quite remember

[trancedental]

I put a new capstan belt on my TSR-8 about 6 months ago, you have to take the front plate off like JPM says. Apart from that it's not too hard to do

Putting the old belt back is no good because it has stretched too much!!!! It will just fall off again!!!!

[ChouxGazer]

Thanks for your help JPM & TD! I'm gonna go ahead and go for it.
Thanks again! I appreciate it! I'll let you know how it turns out.
~e