68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.

512k Floppy Drive won't eject

Posted by: reallyrandy on 2018-02-21 21:16:07 I have a 512k that I'm restoring and the floppy reads fine but will not eject. When I manually eject with a paper clip, the disk gets stuck and won't come out. So I cracked the case and removed the drive and carefully removed the disk without damaging it. When I manually push the eject tab, the drive pops upward but does not propel the disk forward. Not sure if I can (or want to) fix it if I can find a good working one. If one of you guys fixes stuff like this, we could make a deal. I'm assuming it's a 400k drive since it came out of a 512k. Here's pics:

Posted by: Dog Cow on 2018-02-22 06:31:12 You can fix this. 🙂 Try reading this article on fixing 400K disk drives.

Posted by: joethezombie on 2018-02-22 07:23:19 I used sadmanonatrain's guide to completely remove the carrier.  It's not hard, 4 screws and a clip.  Then, you can soak it in solvent and work the bits back in forth to completely remove the old grease.  Reassemble and then carefully add a small amount of new grease to the contact points. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6j6P7lBWw-BNHQ4dXRYZkFGdzQ/edit

Posted by: reallyrandy on 2018-02-22 11:59:34 Awesome, thanks! I'll work on it this weekend. I have the 128k I got from Dog_Cow that is next for restoration.

Posted by: mactjaap on 2018-02-22 12:14:34 I ones made a video how to do it:

Posted by: epooch on 2018-02-22 17:00:24 Or spray some WD-40 on the contact points (making sure to not get overspray on the drive head). Work it around, wipe down, and put on some new lithium grease. It saves the effort of having to disassemble.

Posted by: reallyrandy on 2018-02-23 10:22:40 Usually I spray WD40 in a sandwich bag and dip a small paint brush and brush it on. Then I get no overspray. I'll mess with it this weekend.

Posted by: 3583Bytes on 2018-02-24 20:41:42 I used WD40 on my Macintosh 128K drive with the same problem and it totally fixed it.  However now every-time I run it there is definitely a WD40 smell coming from the drive.  Its been 2 years and it is still there.

1