Drive wheels don’t last forever and will require replacement eventually. I have come across some that are in good condition on wheels made 30 years ago on wheels that have had very little use and some in poor condition from 15 year old wheels. They start to develop small cracks with age but are still quite usable.
One of the main causes of damage to the drive wheel comes from using the wheel when the grommets have disappeared. This causes misalignment between the cone on the motor and the drive wheel rubber causing it to degrade quickly. Also transporting the wheel without securing the motor can cause problems with the drive wheel. The cone can bump into the rubber whenever your car goes over a bump or pothole etc.
The above photo shows age and wear related cracks. I would recommend replacing a wheel in this condition.
Above photo shows damage to a drive wheel caused by the motor cone. This is typical of damage resulting from using a wheel without grommets in place.
Changing the wheel is straightforward and requires only a 5/8” spanner and a block of wood. If you’re going to do this job it’s worthwhile to check the washers and “O” rings on the wheel head at the same time. A little bit of waterproof grease is also handy to have.
It’s possible but a tad fiddlily to get it out without removing cross bars and motor. It would help quite a bit if the top bolt on the mechanism that runs from the top cross bar is disconnected and the main spring removed while doing the job.
Here’s a little amateur video of how to go about it.
Umina Beach Pottery 
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