kev1952

The ball is generally made out of a hard rubber compound which naturally does collect grime. However, if you want to, clean the ball in warm soapy water and use a scrubbing brush on it (the ball is pretty much indestructable). I still doubt that that's the problem.

EDIT: Reread your first post. You haven't, by chance, lost the small spring[s] that hold the rollers in place, have you? That would account for the ball and roller losing contact with each other.