JVC HR-S9600U rippling tapes?
 

My JVC HR-S9600U is rippling the top edge of some of my VHS tapes at the first few minutes of certain tapes (that seem otherwise fine).

I opened the deck up, and the ripple seems to be happening as soon the tape passes over the guide pin at the very end of the transport before the tape goes back into the cassette, (see attached photo where pen is pointing).

Upon closer inspection (second picture), the pin appears to have a tapered groove at the top of the pin just under the wider top portion. It seems like tensioned tape being pulled across this non-flat surface may be causing the edge rippling at the top of the tape. The service manual shows that part is sold as an guide arm assembly, LP40106-002E.

Can anyone with an HR-S9600U check to see if the guide pin on a working deck has that same groove in it? If a good one is not like that and is smooth all the way up the pin, that would be a pretty easy replacement. If a good deck looks the same are there any other adjustments that could be made to resolve the issue?

Thank you in advance

Edit: Higher resolution imgur link

I have attached a few pictures of the tape going around the guide pin, smoothly, with what looks like tension on the tape (you can see the wrinkles), and then a crinkled section going around the pin all bunched up at the top. Higher resolution versions

It looks almost like it has more to do with the tension on the take up reel than the actual pin itself, considering sometimes it is ok and sometimes it isn't.

The same tape in my el-cheapo Sansui DVD/VCR Combo unit plays the same tapes perfectly fine.

Any ideas what might be going on?

The technical term is "feathering".

This is an alignment issue. With the proper tools, and knowledge on how to use them, it's an easy fix. I've always used a service when alignments were needed. I used Jots for many years, but would also now use TGrant if needed.

This is a common JVC issue. Gravity is to blame.

See also http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr-...place-jvc.html

What is it in the tape path that gets out of alignment?

Anything in the tape path would cause the alignment/feathering issue. It's not one specific thing.