Help fix my Fujica ST701

I can't rewind the film in my ST701 any more. When I press the rewind button on the bottom of the camera and try to spin the rewind spindle, it won't bugde. It's as if something's grabbing the film. If I push the rewind spindle too hard the film breaks from the cannister.

I've opened up the bottom of the camera to see what's going on and everything seems fine. When I press the rewind button the sprocket wheel disengages; that should release the film. I've wondered if maybe the take-up spool is refusing to budge. I can spin it by hand but it requires some effort. I've obtained a replacement ST701 and I can get the film out of it. Its take-up spool is also stiff, but not as stiff as my original camera's.

Any suggestions as to what is wrong and how I can fix it would be appreciated.

Jim Glenn <jrglenn@epix.net>