Freeing the spindle bearings on an ST-506

The ST-506 drive mechanism in the Apple profile drive would not spin.
Over the years the spindle bearing grease hardens.
After this the drive was able to be read on an Apple Lisa.

[@compu85]

You do know the spindle motor is accessible from the bottom of the drive? Hopefully you didn't get too much dust into the drive with the cover off.
Did the ProFile work once the spindle was freed up?

[@徐子翔-c9o]

Early HD not that sensitive for dust, so.......maybe it would still able to work for some years, maaaaaaybeeeeee.......

[@Mathmos252]

@@徐子翔-c9o nope , mfm drives will work for basicaly forever , they are so simple , they just do what the computers tells them to do , no matter how bad the situation or the disks are. for example if you rip two heads off , you can format it as 2 heads 2 platters , and it will work anyways

[@kenboyle9905]

thats awesome you got it working!

[@80sCompaqPC]

My ST-412 had the same problem.

[@herauthon]

still have one - what model/type brand controller does it need - so i like to spin it

[@JankPods0201]

It can use any controller as long as it can support your computer. Most likey you would need a Pentium to format the drive in order to use it. And if you have a 286 or later, I recommend a 16-bit MFM controller, But if you have an 8088, You need an 8-bit controller.

[@realgroovy24]

Sweet repair! you should probably lubricate the spindle if its possible as the noise would piss you off

[@80sCompaqPC]

As far as I I know there is no way to lubricate these. Usually letting them run for a few day will quiet them down a lot though.