Cleaning/Adjusting the declination axis If you live in a cold climate read Readying the HEQ5 for cold climates To do a proper job of removing the Synta lubricant and then adjusting the worm-engagement of your HEQ5's declination axis you'll need a few tools and supplies. Here is what you'll need: Small philips screwdriver Medium philips screwdriver Clean toothbrush Lint-free rags Lighter fluid (or other petroleum solvent) Metric allen keys Nylon hammer Set of drill bits Long nosed vise-grips or pliers Large soft pad (towels or something) White lithium grease (or other suitable lubricant) The process First we're going to strip the mount down. Place the mount on it's side on the towel or pad so that you don't scratch up the plastic/metal parts. Now we're going to start stripping the mount. Remove the silver philips screw in the declination lock lever Remove the lever Remove the brass declination lock 'bolt' Remove the lock lever 'button' from the bolt. This SHOULD come out with the bolt and is a small 'button' of brass that is the part that touches the worm gear. If it doesn't come out, don't worry as you can get it later Remove the plastic side-panel over the motors Loosen the three set-screws in the dovetail carrier Remove the dovetail carrier Loosen the deep-set set-screws in the declination barrel Loosen the round 'nut' at the top of the declination shaft. Use two suitable drill bits and a pair of large pliers Lift off the declination barrel Loosen the three set-screws in the counterweight locking collar Unthread the counterweight collar Loosen (a lot) the two worm adjust ment set-screws. One is in front of the power panel and the other at the top of the mount Remove the three silver cap-head bolts from the worm carrier completely Using your soft hammer, tap out the declination shaft. Lay the tapered bearing aside; don't get it dirty Slide off the worm carrier Using your toothbrush, solvent and lint-free rags, clean ALL the synta lube from the brass worm gear Using your toothbrush, solvent and lint-free rags, clean ALL the synta lube from the worm Inspect both to make sure that they are completely clean Put a THIN layer of lubricant onto the worm gear, work it in with the toothbrush and remove excess Put a layer of lubricant on the worm Replace the barrel on the worm gear and shaft Replace the round 'nut' Tighten the deep-set set-screws Replace the worm carrier around the worm Slide the declination axis back into the casting Replace the tapered roller-bearing. If you can't get it on all the way don't worry, just make sure it's on and that there is enough thread showing for the counterweight collar Replace the counterweight collar tightening it to line up the counterweight lock lever and declination lock lever seating the tapered roller-bearing Tighten the three set-screws in the counterweight collar Replace the silver cap-head screws but NOT tightly. Make sure that the carrier is lined up Replace the motor cover Replace the declination lock 'button' Replace the declination lock lever bolt Replace the declination lock lever Replace the dovetail Tighten the three set-screws in the dimples that are spaced in the declination barrel Grab the declination axis and try to move it... if there is any play then adjust the two adjustment set-screws JUST UNTIL the play goes away. If there is no play, adjust until you have some then remove it Tighten the three silver cap-head bolts evenly This takes about an hour if you're careful. Don't miss a step and especially don't miss loosening ANY of the set-screws mentioned above. Relubricating and adjusting the RA axis Back to the HEQ5 Project pages Back to Ozzzy's Astronomy pages