Clean first. It's free. If you weren't cleaning your stylus correctly after every play, it's certainly smudged up with stuff that can be very stubborn to remove. See Jmcgrogan's and my posts on your other thread for how-to's.
BTW, I've never had a stylus wear out on any MC cartridge I've owned. The suspension has worn out first.
BTW, I've never had a stylus wear out on any MC cartridge I've owned. The suspension has worn out first.