Uncontrollable TTC bases

[Orleanian In Exile]

Hello all. I'm new to this board but not quite so new to the hobby and am a regular (somewhat) over at the Miggle board. I'm seeking advice.

It's Sunday, and I finally got around to testing the players for the SuperBowl #600 board I got off E-bay in a recent auction and found a good number of them spinning helplessly in circles, just as the cliche image of electric football always depicts. The set is from the 80s/early 90s at latest so these bases have some age on them. The same is true to an even greater extent with the boat-based Coleco figures from my other game board —they're from 1970.

So, are there any tweaks I can perform to get them somewhat in shape or should I just scrap the lot and get new bases? I've already gotten one reply at the Miggle board suggesting option B and am already halfway leaning in that direction as it is.