[David Combs]

Subj: stereo earphone plug "widens" jack: how to fix (replace=impossible)

Problem with mini-jacks (TRS) for headphones: after a bit of use, seems like
the female part ("jack"?) widens-out inside somewhere, making for a lousy
connection between the radio or walkman (ancient word) or mp3-player
and the earphones. Off on off on bzzz off etc. HORRIBLE LISTENING (if you can
call it "listening"!)

Possible analogy:n

With standard screw-in lightbulbs, that springy copper strip in the
back of the socket, which, when the bulb is fully screwed-in, touches
the center-of-base-of-lightbulb connector; wonderful!

But, sometimes that strip is no longer sprung-forward
enough to make the connection.

How to fix? Off the circuit, then with
some needlenose pliers you pull the end of that copper strip away from
the base a wee bit, and presto, bulb bottom now touches it again when fully screwed-in:

Let there be light -- and (again) it was so.


QUESTION: is there some similar fix for the socket for headphone plugs?

FWIW: picture of a jack (wrong size maybe, but shows the principle of the thing):
http://www.suite101.com/view_image.cfm/823549

What might be the problem? Perhaps (see photo) the metal thingie that
sticks out and touches the "ring" (TRS - tip ring sleeve) of the plug
-- perhaps that got pushed back a bit, via wear. (More likely, by
being CHEAPLY made, ie you know where, and for cheapest possible
price)

What kind of device might fix this?

Maybe some kind of cork-screw-like plug that you plug into (at a
certain rotation-angle?) the jack, and by *carefully* and with *sensitive
nerves on the fingertips", you can tell when the tip of the corkscrew-thing
hits that ring-toucher, and a SLIGHT extra twist will bend it a tiny bit
back towards the center.

Surely there is SOMETHING like this existing?

Or at least some other way to fix it "in situ", *without* having to replace
it.

------

Note: what I have is a Sansa "clip" mp3-player; it's like one inch by
2/3 inch by 1/5th inch thick, with the jack on the side of the thing.
Ain't no way either you or I will be able to open it up and replace
that thing, not unless you are a watchmaker.

The Sansa Clip costs between $50 and $70, depending on the num gigabytes;
sure don't want to have to toss one each time that el-cheapo jack wears out!

Ideas?

THANKS!


David