Echoplex EP-2 experts?

[Psychophonic]

I have an EP-2 with a capstan issue. With the echo engaged (input 1), all is well. When using input 2, the roller is not in contact with the capstan but the capstan, motor, etc still spins. The problem here is the capstan vibrates when not in echo mode. Lightly touching the capstan while spinning makes the noisy vibration disappear. So, applying light pressure to the capstan seems to correct the issue. Obviously I cannot keep my finger on the capstan when playing lol. What can I do?

[PRR]

Hire your brother to touch the capstan.

Try oiling the capstan bearings (do NOT get oil on the capstan tape-area).

[anotherjim]

You can find service info here...
https://echofix.com/pages/echoplex-ep1-ep2-ep3-ep4-manuals
I can't find info on the captan bearings. Tape machines sometimes have a sprung "finger" below the capstan spindle providing a little steadying but mainly to give a reliable ground contact to the capstan to discharge static build up, but I don't know if these machines have those. If it does, the springiness could have weakened.

Overenthusiastic cleaning with IPA can dry the oil out of a bearing leading to wear. A little oil may help, but the bearing may need replacing. I can't find those as spares.

[Psychophonic]

Thanks for the tips. I just had this Echoplex serviced, the tech claims to have rebuilt the motor. I'm finding that I can minimize the vibration by doing things like squeezing the sides of the wood enclosure, removing the top chassis screws and slightly shifting the chassis, etc. Also put thin foam pads between the chassis screw holes and the wood enclosure. Much better now.

Moving on, the top of the unit is filthy. What can I use to safely clean the metal top without risk of removing the lettering etc?

[pinkjimiphoton]

you're on the right track with messing with the screws and stuff. the whole system needs to be properly in alignment to work.
real nitemare sometimes.

as for the capstan... it sits in a bearing that's kinda cheezy. if the echoplex hangs up or the capstan acts weird, this will sound weird, but its actually in the owner's manual..

smack the bejesus out of the side of it a couple times to "settle" the bearing the capstan rides in.