I got it working. This is officially my first moving coil cartridge suspension replacement as well. Pretty stoked!
Preliminary assessment shows a crumbling suspension. The options are to rotate the suspension 45 degrees so that new material that has not directly supported coils can be placed between the coils and the cartridge body. But I elected to try to replace the suspension with all new material.
Close up of the crumbling suspension—at this point it may or may not affect performance. I’ve repaired them like this and they’ve tested very well nonetheless.
Start by pulling off the front pole piece
Mark the position of the coil and the leadout wires—the leadout wires, I assume, are still in order so I will mark each one with paint assuming it attaches to the nearest terminal and at reassembly that’s how I will solder them up for starters.
Remove the motor/suspension assembly
Remove deteriorated suspension ring
Find suitable replacement. This one looks good—also feels right. It’s a bit smaller diameter, but I think it will still cushion sufficiently. Not a lot of choice here. I’ve tried to find someone who will make them but no luck so far—have to be resourceful.
Carefully slip the new suspension into place.
Reinstall motor assembly
Find suitable wire for frame ground and solder into place—this requires a pretty large iron because the frame acts as a heat sink—the battery powered iron will not work here. Also, you can’t hold
it in Plasticine because the Plasticine will just melt from the heat. Oops.
Place magnet/motor into cartridge body and cement into place
Check suspension alignment—looks pretty good.
Some of the leadouts broke off while handling—but fortunately with enough length to add to.
Tinning up loose ends as before
Wind a few turns of the ground wire on this post—just like original and solder
Continue connecting other side, test impedance with meter, replace front pole piece, install cantilever, adjust suspension tension and play test.
And finally, bench test.
Came out perfect. Running at 1.7gVTF. Perfect 35dB separation spec with channel balance within 1dB. Pretty proud of this job.
