Folks, hope you don't mind me posting here but I have tried many other
means without success.

I have a reeltoreel from 60's where everything works except the right
spindle (takeup) - without continual manual help playing tapes is
impossible. (the sound from my wedding is on one of these tapes)

I have opened the case and cleaned as much as I can (Qtip) around the
right spindle (there is a spring on the shaft that had black gunk).
The right spindle will turn only with a nudge with finger - it will not
move when a tape is attached.

The left spindle works great (rewind) - it is on a belt from the motor.
The right spindle though seems to be driven by a rubber wheel
that when 'play' is activated, the wheel moves to make contact with
the actual takeup right spindle. It does make contact - not sure if it
should be in 'the groove' or not - (it isn't) and with some help the
takeup spindle will turn, but it doesn't have enough oooomph with a
tape.

The only other part i noticed was that after cleaning the right spindle
will spin (after a nudge) when vertical, but if the deck is placed
horizontally it will stop...even without a tape attached.

Hope I have included important info and understandable terminology.

Any and all help to fix this is much appreciated......Larry