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TESTING TONEARM FRICTION FOR THE SL-1200 MK2,3,4,5,M5G

This is probably useful for any audiophile tonearm. Check arm bearings for play by moving arm about.
There should be no click clacking when you do this.

1. Balance arm so it floats like a seesaw in balance
2. Set antiskate to 0
3. Place arm near end of record. Arm should stay put
   - If it should swing back wildly to the rest, the arm yoke is bent or bearings are serverely worn. Arm must be replaced.
   - If it slowly drifts back that is ok, and suggest friction is very low.
   - If it hangs in one location, arm bearing is likely out of adjustment- Too tight.
4. Now, turn anti skate to 1.5. Arm should swing back to rest.

If you found play in the bearings, they can be adjusted. A tool first needs to be made to unlock the outer ring that holds the adjust screw.
I have yet to find such an after market tool. But often, you can loosen it with a small jewelers screwdriver. Hold the screwdriver against the slot of the locking ring and tap in the direction to rotate the ring counterclockwise. More often than not, the ring will loosen. Now you can loosen the center bearing screw. check for play. Tighten the screw until the play is just zeroed out. Now re lock the outer ring and recheck the friction using the procedure above.

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