Sounds like the needles were cranked, or forced in too
far, and the main needle got bent.

Yes....it the big needle is bent, and flattened....it's not
in good shape. Lay it down on a piece of cloth, and with
a small screwdriver handle....push on it, and straighten it
back out. This will prevent you from over-bending it, and
breaking it. Then take a small mill-file, and file it down
around the flat spots to get it round again. Then take
some really fine emery paper to it and dress it up nice.

You can probably get it back into serviceable shape if
your careful. The surface of the needle doesn't have to
be perfect....but it has to be pretty darned straight to
work right. A new needle might be hard to find, so give
it a try.

Dave.