Has anyone here worked on early Betamax VCRs?

[ChrisW6ATV]

Hello-

I am working on an early Sony Beta VCR (SL-8200) for a friend, and I have hit a potentially tough problem. The symptom is, the tape will not move when Play is pressed, but FF and Rewind are OK (or should be fine once I replace their idlers/tires). Play uses a part called a Forward Idler that includes a plastic multi-section cylinder with a spring in the top section and a rubber tire around the middle section. The idler is driven by a belt from below; all of the belts are new. The rubber tire contacts the take-up reel. Between the middle and top/bottom sections of the cylinder are pieces of material that seem to act as a clutch with the pressure from the spring in the top. The Sony test/repair procedure (from my original Sony service manual) is "test the torque in Play mode; below a certain number, replace the Forward Idler". The part is no longer available (no surprise there!). Its tire looks good as opposed to the FF/Rew ones, but I will probably replace it anyway if possible.

My questions are: Have you seen and repaired this problem in any SL-6200/6300/7200/7300/8200 Sony VCRs, and if so, how? Lacking a new idler, do you have a suggestion about maybe replacing or improving the clutch material if in fact it is bad? Thanks.