I have cassette tapes that have been stored for several years and some of them make a squeaing noise when playing...as if they need to be lubricated?

Dick, January 2010

January 2011
I have found this works for me, but not necessarily for all situations. Bore a small hole, lets say about 3mm diameter in the top of the cassette. That is, the edge with the record tabs at both extremities. Pour in a small amount of graphite powder and shake it around inside the casssette. Its just lubrication. Alternatively, you can crack the cassette open if its glued, but that risks having to deal with all of the fiddly, frustrating parts inside.

Barry, January 2011

Three possibilities

1. Cass Player motor is bad. Try a brand new cassette or used one you know does not squeak by playing it in another player. If tape doesn't squeak in other players it might be your player.
2. Cassette shell lubricants have worn out. (They are the side sheets of plastic on the inside of the shell. Their is one on each side of the cassette tape rolls.) carefully take apart the cassette and insert it into a new blank cassette shell.
3. Cassette tape lubricant found the back of the tape itself had worn out. (no fix possible) (although some suggest baking in oven on low for several hours) I am not suggesting this. Throw away tape and find another copy, CD , or MP3 files

MadmanJ, February 2010