To repair and replace the soft rubber wheel.

This is a delicate operation. Carefully open the cart and inspect the inner workings. On this particular cart you will notice some white spots on the tape… an extremely bad sign. This shows that over the years this tape was not stored well. Most get left in the Garage or Attic and have been exposed to harsh conditions. Extreme heat, extreme cold and high humidity cause the mold, which dries out the lubricant and renders it useless.

Although unplayable, I continued the repair to show the inner working of the 8 track and how to replace the wheel.

A couple of notes…

1. There are many different cart styles, and each has a unique way of opening.
2. When removing the old wheel, avoid touching it. Black sticky tar residue can be spread and it’s hard to get off. Dispose immediately.
3. Clean the cart.
4. If the tape itself is dried out or moldy, keep all the parts for future repairs.
5. Not all wheels are the same, make sure it’s the right size before starting this process.
6. I use post-it notes to hold the tape together while applying new switching tape.
7. buy cheap used carts for parts and keep them handy.