Update - the problem is solved. It turns out that the horizontal bearing was binding up, and I'm pretty sure it was from damping fluid contamination. I mounted up my new cartridge this morning and the problem had become worse than ever. It wouldn't track at all, so it seems the silicon was becoming more caked on as time went by.
I cleaned the silicon residue out of the bearing cavity as well as I could with paper towel, and then sprayed the bearing with Deoxit to de-gunk and lube the bearing. Before this procedure the binding was noticeable (ie I could feel it in my hand as I moved the arm). Now, it's tracking fine, and sounds lovely. The Grado Sonata is great, and it seems now I can sit back and listen to music on this table rather than constantly tweaking it.
Thanks to everyone!!
I cleaned the silicon residue out of the bearing cavity as well as I could with paper towel, and then sprayed the bearing with Deoxit to de-gunk and lube the bearing. Before this procedure the binding was noticeable (ie I could feel it in my hand as I moved the arm). Now, it's tracking fine, and sounds lovely. The Grado Sonata is great, and it seems now I can sit back and listen to music on this table rather than constantly tweaking it.
Thanks to everyone!!