Sounds like you brushes are not making a proper connection. By the way, if you replace one brush you really should replace both.
As far as the hand wheel sticking, sounds like you need to add a little heat (like a hair dryer) to the innards after oiling it.
Are you using Triflow oil for the parts that need oiling? I prefer Triflow - stick stuff gets unstuck with Triflow.
Shari