Help finding a needle for Zenith Cobra Matic

OH also found the Model number - SFD288

ameileen wrote:Well I found the needle and it plays but sound is not coming out of the speakers now. We tried all the different ways the wires go on the back of the prongs but nothing is coming out of the speakers. I know for a fact that it is not the speakers because when we turn it to FM radio the speakers work quite well. Anyone have any suggestions??

let's go "old school" here and suggest finding a good reliable service tech to go over this unit and correct it's ills in a proper way instead of guessing and hoping for an online fix.

In the Old Days when your stereo didn't work, you called up a guy and had it repaired. - professionally.
This odd and strange (by todays standards) phenonenon still works quite well as I understand.

Thanks MattTech I was going to do that anyway but I was just putting it out there to see if anyone had any suggestions.

Most people don't have the tools or knowledge to do proper service.
They just want to enjoy the unit.
And I don't blame them.

As was mentioned, the spindle's damaged - does the common homeowner have the training to remove it and install a new one with the proper orientation?
No.
Better yet, the resources for such things - model/run numbers, series, all that complex stuff - is in a service manual.

Is a stylus pressure gauge handy in the tool box to confirm/set the needle pressure?
No,

Being vintage, and most likely having dried-out lubrication, does the average person know the critical lubrication points?
No. (but a disasterous lube job is done with a can of WD40 in some cases)

The rubber motor-mounting grommets and drive tire - probably dryrotted/deteriorated with age - is spares lurking in the junk drawer in the kitchen?
No.

See, all these things and MORE are required - something that a repair shop would have.