In need of help on a Sharp GF-555

Hi
I've been lucky enough to be given a Sharp GF-555 in very good condition, however both tape decks ff and rew but seem to unravel the cassette when in play.
Is this down to belts and if so, how easy is surgery on them?
Cheers folks

I'm sure it's the pesky roller that's has disintegrated and turned to goo. Many ingenuous members have found a way to fix this with some hobby tubing slipped over the capstan needle to restore grip to the idler rollers. Seems this is a common problem with all the Sharp GF's.

Most likely the rubber around your capstan will look like this:

It's an easy fix though.Just cut of a piece of silicone tubing and put it on the capstan.
These tubes are available in RC model stores

Like Eddy said, the capstan problem can be fixed with silicon fuel tubing from any R/C (radio controlled) hobby shop.

You'll need one with a 0.215" or 0.22" outside diameter. The inner diameter should be around 0.0455" to 0.05". Then use some fine-grit, modeling sand paper to rough up the outside after trimming. That will help it "grab".

my 555 had the famed rot as well. not too bad a job if you take notes and pictures of the dis-assembly if your a bit handy