Sota Star Sapphire suspension question

Thought I would add an update. First I would like to thank Bruce Thigpen from ET for writing back to me. It always blows my mind when someone who I both admire and respect take the time to give me advice and suggestions. Here is a guy who I consider a genius in the field of audio and he takes the time to get back, sweet!
Second, as usual, its my general stupidity that always does me in. I had nothing but the old metal fulcrum type of tracking force weight measurer. When I use that and put down the arm, it was seriously distorting my needle. When I did it but sight, so I made the arm neutral, then tacked on slight weight, not only did the needle not bend, it sounds great! I must not of tried that yesterday and I was just so frustrated I didnt think of it. I think so many things can be tweaked, I was overwhelmed. So I took a breath, slept on it and besides the vacuum not working, all is well. I did not call SOTA, I figured I would wait for the 2nd.
Jack

You might need to disassemble the platter bearing and check that the vacuum ports are not blocked. It wouldn't hurt to clean and re-lube the bearing since you may not know when it was done last- if you haven't done that already. I use a synthetic grease and get good results with that. I clean out the bearing hole with a cotton swab and then blow it out to make sure no fibers are left behind.

If you put your finger over the inlet to the pump, with no hoses connected, you should be able to feel some suction. It's not a lot, but it should be there. If so, then the pump is working. What makes you think it's not? There isn't a lot of suction, to protect yor records. Do you have the spindle cap? It works much better with it.

Manitunc; When I put my finger over the hole, with no hoses connected and the unit on and the vac set all the way to the right, the highest suction, I don't feel anything. I even tried cotton threads and no movement from them either. I opened up the vac and its very clean, all the hoses look good, I hear something happening, but no suction. I do have the rubberish spindle cap, do you know if this would use the reflex cap as well? Regards Jack

If you can't feel any vacuum at the pump inlet then you've got a problem at the pump.