The Sony TC-WR535 was a good quality dual cassette deck for the early 90’s. Auto reverse, auto-search, component recording to cassette. I made quality mixes with this machine. I still have mine in fact but it suffered the same fate as yours. I ordered new belts, cracked it open, found out I ordered the wrong belts, exchanged them for the right ones and there the deck sat for a few months. Finally got around to tearing into it. Right deck first and it went smooth. Our fate changed when I discovered the left “clamshell” wouldn’t release and I cracked the green circuit board at the trying to force the clamshell apart. Yeah, yeah, I know. I was able to get the stuck tape out at least. I will now need to replace the entire unit. Fudge.

I picked up this model at a Goodwill for $5. Left side doesn't open. Belts stretched out, but not gummy like yours fortunately. This video provides great insight for the repair and cleanup work ahead. Thank you for going through the trouble of posting this and congratulations on restoring your childhood cassette deck. I hope you find/found the deck covers!

I had one bought a brand new 400.00 in1993

I have mine sitting on the shelf for some years too. I think it is time to get it running again after replacing its belts too.

You should be more lovely to the faceplate while fixing. It can become more scratchy laying on the table without any cloth.

This was a great video to get an overview of tearing down the 535, thanks! I replaced the belts on my 535, but the right deck refuses to play forwards at all, and the left plays forward but with muffled sound. Both decks play back in reverse with no issue. Any ideas what the issue could be? The motor perhaps?

Exhaust with a shopvac and soft paint brush will clean it

I’ve ordered belts for a similar Sony that had it’s belts turn to goo. It’s super frustrating as when I put it up on the display shelf it was sitting on it worked good, and I just found out the belts had gone goo because I pulled it down for someone who wanted to buy it.

I coperchi dei vani cassetta non ci sono?

Is the black stuff on the gears lubrication or melted belt?

Hey, would you happen to know what motors these have? I'm actually thinking of picking one up to fix a Tascam Portastudio and it has the MMI-6H2LWK motors. These seem similar (same manufacturer) but I can't see the writing on the motors to know for sure.

Do the pinchers look ez to replace? One of mine has a flat spot causing serious warbling. My belts were also melted to the small reel ,the flat ones were loosey goosey.

Did you find the frount doors

Hey I have one of these. I recently opened it up and found that the belts had just completely gummed up. What the hell man? Know a good place to get a couple of belts for those capstans?