Thorens TD124 Bronze thrust pad

The best thrust bearing available for your TD124.

The design thrust pad for the Thorens TD124 is based on the following ideas:

The thick graphite filled Torlon pad will not 'dish' like the TD124 original thrust pad. The original 'thrust pad' in the TD124 is a 0.040" thick disc of nylatron. The weight of the platter on this disc causes it to cup, or dish.

Graphite filled Torlon is about 25% harder than Nylatron, the original material, and is one of the most advanced engineering plastics available today.

The diameter of the bronze cap will fit through the main spindle bearing bore in the chassis, meaning that you can service the bearing as a whole, and then install it, rather than having to install the thrust cap after the bearing housing is installed. Some other caps do not fit in the chassis bearing bore.

The Torlon pad is reversible, so, for future servicing, the pad can be reversed to reveal a new bearing surface.

The gasket does not leak when properly installed. Installation is easy.

This thrust bearing kit does not change the height of your platter, meaning that your platter brake should still work as it is supposed to.

The 8mm thick bronze pad offers a more secure support for the platter. The original 'cap' is a thin piece of stamped aluminum that is often bent, potentially causing your bearing oil to leak out.

Included in this sale is the bronze TD124 thrust pad cap, a bearing grade Torlon insert to fit into the cap, 3 screws to secure it to the bearing housing, a gasket, and a hex key.

A Grade 5 Sapphire ball, 6mm diameter to match the original thrust ball is also available.

Woodsong Audio specializes in specialty service for the Thorens and Garrard idler drive tables, custom plinths, and a full retail line of products. Look for us on the web.

Torlon and Sapphire make a great bearing interface. Sapphire is rated at '9' on the Mohs scale, The original Thorens thrust ball at around 7. Diamond is a '10' on the Mohs scale. Silicon Nitride is an '8'. The surface of these Sapphire balls is extremely smooth, much smoother than the original steel thrust ball, helping to ensure a longer lasting bearing.

The original steel ball usually shows a wear pattern caused by contaminants and wear particles embedding into the original thrust disc, and causing wear on the ball.

Note: The original thrust ball in the TD124 spindle is held in place by a thin brass 'spring' plate. Removing and replacing this is not difficult, but it requires good vision, steady hands, and a precise tool like a jewelers screwdriver to pry the spring plate up. Take care not to bend the spring plate when removing it. In case your TD124 bearing is missing this spring plate, the thrust ball can be held in place with a small dab of grease.