It seems unlikely the suspension would collapse on an "almost new" cartridge. Anything's possible, as Mofimadness unfortunately learned, but I'd consider other causes first.
Try cleaning the stylus with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Search here or on other forums for how-to's, cautions and testimonials. Hundreds have adopted this method since I first publicized it 9 years ago. It's more effective than any liquid stylus cleaner (which some cartridge manufacturers warn against, as certain solvents may attack the glue holding the stylus to the cantilever and/or the elastomers in the suspension).
Also, and rather obviously, if you aren't cleaning your LP's effectively - preferably before the first play - your stylus will continually dredge up grunge and muck itself up. This is true even with new releases.
Try cleaning the stylus with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Search here or on other forums for how-to's, cautions and testimonials. Hundreds have adopted this method since I first publicized it 9 years ago. It's more effective than any liquid stylus cleaner (which some cartridge manufacturers warn against, as certain solvents may attack the glue holding the stylus to the cantilever and/or the elastomers in the suspension).
Also, and rather obviously, if you aren't cleaning your LP's effectively - preferably before the first play - your stylus will continually dredge up grunge and muck itself up. This is true even with new releases.