This is a step-by-step tutorial covering how to replace the pinch roller on the JVC full logic walkmans. While the basic principle for replacing those pinch rollers is the same for all in the series (JVC CQ-(F)7K/CQ-(F)5K, CQ-R7K, CQ-V9), the specific details only apply to the CX-(F)5K and CX-(F)7K. For the most part, I do not recommend replacing these rollers unless they have indentation marks as the process in pretty involved and there is a risk to produce more harm than good. Pinch rollers are 7 x 6 x 1.5mm (outer diameter x total height x pin diameter). These pinch rollers are pretty hard to find and the problem is you will need to replace the entire pinch roller as the rubber cannot be removed since the original hub has 2 large discs on both sides. What I found to be the best solution is buy the complete assembly from China and replace the rubber part with the one that Marian sells (it's the WM-702 type): https://fixyouraudio.com/product/sony-wm-702-pinch-roller-tire/ While the complete assemblies that I bought from China do work fine, the rubber is not of very good quality and some of them had a pretty large eccentricity, but the plastic hub is of good quality and designed so rubber can be removed from it. 1. You need to remove the cassette door cover. It's held with 5 screws and the auto-reverse switch. Note the switch does not need force to be removed, it should come out very easy. 2. You need to remove the radio scale together with its plastic backplate. It's held with 2 screws. Note there is a washer beneath the screw at the top, near the tuning potentiometer. 3. You need to remove the radio PCB (3 screws, one is different note the picture) and the mode leaf switch. Pay careful attention to the leaf switch as it's very fragile. 4. You need to remove the PCB backplate. First remove the spring, then remove the ear near the spring after which it can be slided out completely. 5. Remove the pinch roller cut washer and remove the roller assembly. Pay attention to the small spring and remove it. It's best to leave it on the walkman in order to avoid losing it. 6. Start filing the bottom rivotted part of the pin until it's flat with the rest of the assembly. At that point you can push it with a small punch or similar metal object. Be careful not to lose this pin as it is not of a standard type ! 7. Remove the old roller and replace it with the new one. Put the bin back and glue it where it was rivotted. Don't put to much glue as it can sip though and glue the roller itself. 8. Re-fit everything in the reverse order. 9. Put the unit in play and clean the new roller of any grease from your fingers with a cotton swab and IPA. NOTE: In pictures it is only shown the FWD pinch roller, but the process is similar on the REV one. On the CX-R7, the FWD roller had a plastic bracket on which the pin can be simply pressed out. However, the REV one is the same as the CX-5/7.
