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Floppy Disk Drive Read Head Repair

Iesca

Well-known member
After a diskette completely jammed in the floppy drive, I was forced to pry it out with pliers. Unfortunately, such a procedure is far from delicate, and the top drive head was damaged and put out of place. (Actually, I managed to damage the head before even attempting the pliers; they were simply a last resort..) Attached are photos of its current state.

Shoulda-woulda-coulda, the deed is done; is it repairable, or is it time for a replacement?

I should say, the drive was never ejecting properly in the first place, even after cleaning and relubricating, as well as replacing the drive motor gear. I would get the disk inserting and ejecting seemingly fine when out of the machine, but the moment I fastened it in its bracket and installed in the Mac, the drive would never eject on its own without helping it with tweezers or similar. Then it just jammed up. :\

Thank you!

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unity

Well-known member
Cant repair, just put a new head assembly on. It is really easy. One screw, one ribbon, done.

 

Iesca

Well-known member
Are these something that can be procured on their own, or do they need to be sourced from another floppy drive?

 

unity

Well-known member
Probably have to pick up another drive. They dont come up too often as standalone.

 

techknight

Well-known member
Yea, even if you tried to repair this, youve lost all possiblity of obtaining cylinder/track alignment between sides. 

 
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