Thorens Td124 Service Manual -
Tonearm Setup & Alignment
: Page 12 detailed the E50 motor. He carefully unsoldered the leads, noting the exact position of the bushings. One wrong move and the legendary "silent" drive would hum like a beehive. The Step-Pulley Dance
Set the pitch control knob to its center position. Adjust the mechanical position of the permanent magnet underneath the chassis until the strobe markings stand perfectly still while running at 33⅓ RPM.
Usually caused by a glazed or slipping belt, a hardened idler wheel, or dried-out motor bearings. Clean the drive surfaces and check oil levels. thorens td124 service manual
The manual shows the four screws and the grounding strap that secure the chassis to the plinth. Remove these carefully to avoid stripping the 60-year-old threads.
If the turntable was left engaged in gear for years while turned off, the stepped pulley will dent the idler rubber, causing a rhythmic thumping noise.
: Instructions for cleaning and re-oiling the main platter bearing, the stepped pulley, and the motor. Tonearm Setup & Alignment : Page 12 detailed the E50 motor
Clean the idler wheel spindle. Apply one drop of lightweight oil to its bearing. Ensure absolutely no oil touches the rubber drive edge or the inner platter rim. 4. Main Platter Bearing Maintenance
The manual provides the disassembly procedure for the E50 motor. Over time, the original felts inside the motor casing harden, and the sintered bronze bushings (Oilite bearings) dry out. The manual details:
Using the wrong oil can permanently ruin the porous bronze bushings or dissolve vintage plastics. Refer to the standard guidelines derived from original Thorens technical bulletins: Recommended Lubricant Type Maintenance Interval Low-viscosity turbine oil (Caltex RPM, Zoom-Spout) Every 1,000 hours Main Platter Bearing Medium-viscosity oil (Thorens Oil No. 1 or SAE 20) Yearly check / Refill Idler Wheel Spindle Ultra-light spindle oil or PDP 40 Every 500 hours Stepped Pulley Shaft Medium-viscosity turbine oil Every 500 hours Mechanical Linkages High-quality lithium grease or technical petroleum jelly Sparingly during overhaul Troubleshooting Common TD124 Faults Turntable takes too long to reach speed The Step-Pulley Dance Set the pitch control knob
Specific guidance on what type of oil to use for the motor and main bearing.
: He cleaned the stepped pulley with surgical precision. The manual demanded a tolerance so tight that a single fingerprint’s oil could cause a speed fluctuation. The Main Bearing
The manual instructs you to remove the platter, pull the inner shaft, and clean out the old oil. Crucially, it notes the thrust ball (Part #138) at the bottom. Do not lose it. The manual says to replace the felt oil wick (Part #137) if it is hard.
The electrical system of the TD124 is simple but requires close attention due to age.
Thorens TD124 service manual provides essential technical guidance for maintaining one of the most iconic vintage idler-drive turntables. It covers everything from basic setup to deep mechanical repairs for both the original MkI and the later MkII models. Core Maintenance & Repair Topics
