Yes I was wondering whether you might have deformed/bent metal parts when replacing the rollers plastic retainer ring. It's easy to do.These sorts of issues are often not warned about in service manuals.SMs have to assume a background of skills and knowledge including natural mechanical and technical aptitudes. That's why unfortunately even owning all the service manuals, parts and specialised tools doesnt guarantee success. Well done to retrace your steps and get that result.

hysteriah, I'm pretty sure now you're more happy, than before, when your VCR "just" worked.
:laugh:

No, I hadn't bent it or anything. I'm trying to be very careful and gentle when working on these things ;-) But it might seems like I had tightened this little "black knot" (see attachment) that locks the pinch roller on to the shaft just a little bit too hard, simply by pushing it a little bit too far down on the axl. :unsure:

Haha, you're absolutley right about that! :laugh: :congrats:

Hysteriah, yes that's the retainer I meant. They do vary in type as well.

It may be just the angle of the photo and but the roller's angle doesnt seem parallel with the rest of the bracket. Unless of course it's meant to be like that.