10-14-2011, 05:32 PM
I'd give it a good blast of deoxit. Then look through with a strong light on the other side and see if there are any obstructions. The center recepticle has no other function than locking the tube in. Should it be encrusted to the point of not being able to stretch enough to receive the tube, clean it out if you can. Else put in a new socket. Better that than ruining otherwise good tubes.