Physical Micrdrive Head Allignment

[bwinkel67]

So I've been using my micrdrives a lot lately as I'm waiting for my vDrive to be returned. I never explicitly noticed this before, but looking straight into them from the QL's side, one head is definitely crooked. For years I've gotten used to lifting the cartridge on the left side slightly as it's reading/writing to give a bit more of an angle, and many times that helps that microdrive read the cartridge faster (or at all).

How would I straighten it out (and should I)? It does read/write and format, but the two drives sometimes have trouble fully reading each other. Do I need to unsolder the head on one side to push it down? Is this physical misalignment normal?

[tofro]

Service Manual:

2.5 Head Position: The digital head should have both front feet and at least one rear foot touching the chassis. It is not always possible for the other foot to touch due to head manufacture adjustments. If the head is tilted up, down or sideways, it will compound the effects described for head spring. The face of the head should be clean.

The service manual also says that even service staff shouldn't try and change the heads - the complete carrier board should be changed. So I guess it isn't easy to adjust the head position.

[Ruptor]

How would I straighten it out (and should I)? It does read/write and format, but the two drives sometimes have trouble fully reading each other. Do I need to unsolder the head on one side to push it down? Is this physical misalignment normal?

Could you try moving the PCB that holds the head by loosening the screws and using the slack in the holes to reposition the PCB. I looked at mine and my right hand drive head is tilted down to the right. I think it was the drive giving the most problems so I am going to try moving the PCB & let you know.
Update: Yes that worked. You don't have to remove the drive just use a long screwdriver slacken the two screws that hold the board and align the head. I had less than 1 mm play across both screws so if that isn't enough a needle file in one of the holes in the right direction can give a bit more movement.

[bwinkel67]

Could you try moving the PCB that holds the head by loosening the screws and using the slack in the holes to reposition the PCB. I looked at mine and my right hand drive head is tilted down to the right. I think it was the drive giving the most problems so I am going to try moving the PCB & let you know.
Update: Yes that worked. You don't have to remove the drive just use a long screwdriver slacken the two screws that hold the board and align the head. I had less than 1 mm play across both screws so if that isn't enough a needle file in one of the holes in the right direction can give a bit more movement.

Oh that's a great idea, thanks for suggesting it. Next time I have the unit open (need to do some mods to it soon) I will do that.