Tascam 246 C-Clip Dillema

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I've been waiting to finally put a new pinch roller and idler tires on my 246 for months and tonight I got the face off (which was tough with no instructions) and went for it. I replaced the belts a while back but getting a new pinch roller which wasn't as easy. So, like I was saying... I took off the faceplate to replace the idler tires and pinch roller. Everything went fine. I put in the new roller in the assembly arm and replaced both tires and put them back in when I encountered a serious problem.

That little plastic c-clip back on the top of the idler wheel won't attach into the groove in the metal axel thing. It seems like there's not enough sticking out for the clip to go in and the top wheel just pops up because of the spring underneath it and sends the clip flying.

I can't push the wheels down any further to make more space for the clip to go into the indention and I'm at my wits end here. The only thing I can think of would be to super glue it but I hesitate to do that because I'll never be able to get the wheel off again without breaking it.

Has anyone ever encountered this, and if so, what did you do?

I really want to get this thing on so I can fire this 246 up. I bought it for $65 off the original owner and it's in great condition, aside from this damn c-clip that is...
 
I think pictures would help a lot. Can you post some?
 
IMG_0024.webpIMG_0024.webp
 
I removed the washer clip and changed the tires but when I put them back on it keeps pooping the top tire off. I'm out of options for trying things. I was wondering if anyone ever ran into this problem and if so, what did they do?
 
When you changed tires did you take the wheel off? Is there any possibility that it could be upside down??
Maybe the faces are different to accommodate the spring and clip?

Anyway if it came apart, it should go back together.
 
I'm thinking that Sweetbeats, Reel Person, or Dr. Zee should probably be able to help you. Those guys know more about those machines than most people in the free world.

I have a 246, and I've changed the pinch roller before, but I haven't messed with the idler tires yet.
 
Yeah, hopefully.

The wheels are two pieces that fit on a metal axel. When you put the bottom wheel on, you then put a spring on the axel before putting the top wheel on. There's no way to put them on upside down as they only fit one way.

At this point, I tried gluing the clip on with the thought that if it worked I could just twist the wheel and it would work but now it won't FF or RW at all and the Play function is only turning the left reel.

I have a 244 that has the same idler tires but don't want to take them out
 
I've never done the idler tires...I honestly can't see from the pics what I'm looking at as far as the retainer clip...too grainy. Let me look at my service manuals and see if I can understand batter how it goes together...
 
Well, shoot...the 234/244/246 service manuals just show the idler as a complete assembly so I can't see what kind of parts hold the idler on there...BUT...Beagle suggested Dr. Zee so I referenced his website with pics/procedure for replacing idler tires...that's a different kind of retaining clip than I was picturing (I was thinking it was an "E" clip or a circlip, but it looks like its just a split washe)r. Look at his site to see if there are useful suggestions: http://www.mzentertainment.com/pics/teac_244/dr_zee_workshop_tascam_244_project_part4.jpg

I don't think gluing the clip is a good idea...might impede free movement of the idler which is what is happening to you now I think.

I suspect the clip might be stretched from getting it off there. You might need to remove the clip and squeeze it more closed with pliers and see if it then keeps the idler on the shaft. Does that make any sense?
 
I finally fixed it!

Gluing was a completely dense idea and I shouldn't have tried it. I ended up getting a kitchen knife and digging the clip out without breaking it, taking both wheels out and turning it upside down and low and behold I got it to fit. There was a piece of felt that sits down there in the way it seems.

Anyway,I salvaged that poor abused washer clip and it actually held up it's shape pretty well. It went on and now the machine works great. New pinch roller, new tires, oiled up a bit. I'm psyched mate!

Thanks guys, RFR called it.
 
Awesome news! Lesson learned: (In case you didn't) Take plenty of pictures before taking something apart so you know exactly how it goes back together. (Don't know if that would've helped in this case, but it's still great advice.) Have fun with the 246! :)
 
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