1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

[John S.]

[Jimmy P.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

Hi John,
Jerry Rudbeck restored my '73 radio a couple years back but he isn't doing them anymore, I think he retired. However, he recommended this company turnswitch@turnswitch.com ( 877-780-2861) for correct replacement style speakers. They also restore classic car radios. Another frequently mentioned radio repair shop here on the forum is K&B Corvette Products in Alpharetta, Georgia. kandbcorvetteproducts.com (770-777-1031).
Hope this helps,

[Ralph S.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

Pull the knob off and spray some WD40 around the shaft and turn it back and forth while the radio is on see if that clears it up

[Stewart L.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

John, try "Bill the Radio Guy" in Shelton. Several friends have used him and been happy. 360-427-0513. I talked to him at Monroe where he had a booth, nice guy and knows radios pretty well. www.billtheradioguy.com

[John S.]

[Patrick C.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

Now that the cold weather is here I am seriously considering having my original AM/FM Stereo radio sent out for repair. The unit turns on, lights up and tunes in but the volume control is very scratchy sounding through the speakers and at low volume my LH speaker cuts out. While the tuning does work, it is also scratchy sounding when the knob is being adjusted and it is difficult to hold a station. I suspect that time and moisture has done its damage after 23 years of non-op in less than climate controlled storage. I’m actually surprised it works as well as it does !!

Looking through the Driveline, I notice several ads for radio rebuilds, just wanted to know if anyone has any particular reccomendations or experience. I’m not looking for any cosmetic work to be done to the unit, just get me a properly sounding/functioning unit.

Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

I had a very similar problem with my C2 radio. I removed the radio and its side covers. I sprayed Deox (see picture) into the volume poteniometer and then rotated it several times. I repeated this five or six times over two days. It now works great, the scratchy, popping, electrical noises are gone. I bought the Deox on Amazon.

[Patrick C.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

Here are pictures of my radio apart

[Patrick C.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

I wrote an article with pictures for the NCRS Oklahome SidePipe publication on restoring my radio. It will be in the January issue.

[Leif A.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

Patrick,
I agree with your suggestion as the easiest and least expensive way to attempt to rectify John's issue. I have used Deoxit D5 many times on my radio over the years. For me, it's a temporary fix that last several months, and then I do it all over again. However, I simply remove the radio knobs and spray into the shaft while moving the shaft back and forth. It's a ten minute job that last for months. I would be hesitant to use WD40...concerned with gummy buildup. I found the Deoxit D5 at a local Radio Shack, but it is, also, available online.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

Pull the knob off and spray some WD40 around the shaft and turn it back and forth while the radio is on see if that clears it up

Ralph, please take no offense -- I would be reluctant to use WD-40 in this application. A contact cleaner, as mentioned in other posts, would be a more appropriate product to use. WD stands for Water Displacement and the 40 is the 40th formulation they developed. I don't think this situation calls for a product that displaces water. A contact cleaner would be more appropriate IMO.

[Thomas S.]

[Patrick C.]

Re: 1973 AM/FM Stereo Repair/Rebuild

Interesting Thomas,

In the 90’s I was the Managing Director of a automotive sensor and potentiometer manufacturer based in Munich Germany. We made very similar potentiometers with ceramic, FR4 and plastic substrates with printed carbon resistive tracks. Depending on the substrate WD40 could easily compromise the substrate and the ink. The Deoxit D will remove the oxidation and dissolve the corrosion on the wiper and help remove the foreign matter from the resistive track without damaging either. It will not repair damage to the track however. The potentiometers in the radio were not sealed and with the radio disassembled I was able to clean them (and other contacts) which made a marked improvement in my volume control. just dont overdo it.

Pat