X1000R capstan failure 

I have two X-1000Rs and they both had this problem. To fix it you need to do 3 things. 1. replace the belt with tight one. 2. Replace both pinch rollers with new ones from Teac. 3. Set the tension of both pay off and take up reels or at least make them equal.

I'll bet there's nothing wrong with the capstans, especially if this X1000R had a capstan belt replacement. Basically, what may have happened is that the capstan flywheels were not installed properly. The supply-side capstan is supposed to run slightly slower than the takeup-side capstan. This creates the tape-to-head tension that's needed to maintain tape-to-head contact. And, as the X1000R is an auto reverse unit, the capstan belt is supposed to be able to change positions on the flywheels to maintain this capstan speed difference for the other side. If you install the capstan flywheels in their opposite places, the supply-side capstan will run slightly faster than the takeup-side capstan, compromising tape-to-head tension. Loss of tape-to-head contact will result.

so my definition of capstan must be different than yours.. this looks like the guts of a VCR or something. I search for capstan failure as in, ships anchoring pulley failures - and then I get this.

in my case old reel tape was causing lack of tension at the playback heads area.

the tape guides are not aligned!!!

Probably when dismantling mixed in places flywheels therefore the tape and sags.

Идея с двумя тон-роликами показала свои минусы. Не нужно изобретать велосипед...