I got the teflon sheet in the mail today and made some washers with a hollow punch set I borrowed from a friend at work. I applied the new alternative bearing solution, and am now listening to records on my Garrard for the first time since originally disassembling the unit! It sounds great and runs at the correct constant speed. I was pretty much convinced I had a problem with the idler assembly until reading your post and realizing my Garrard had the same bearing problem. Kudos for your help!

Dale Webb