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Even with the Synta lube removed from the HEQ5 mount you might find that in cold weather the axes are stiff. This
has to do with the grease packed into the sealed bearings on the two shafts. There are six of these, two inside each
worm-gear and one on each shaft that supports the shaft. You'll want to remove the grease from the bearings and just
add some light oil to coat the ball bearings. The bearings come off the shaft nicely with usually just a bit of persuasion. Take them off the shafts one shaft at a time and work one shaft at a time. To remove the grease submerge the worm-gear and the support bearing in some form of thinner or solvent; I used WD40. Work the bearings around a bit (it's messy) and use high-pressure air to blow everything out. If you feel some grit or other obstruction in the bearings you can remove one seal on the bearing with a small jeweler's screwdriver. If you do this just remember that the bearing is no longer sealed. Once you've cleaned out all of the original grease, drip in some light machine oil. If you've removed a seal this is simple. If you haven't, then just drip it around the inner edge of the seal and work the bearing around until it all seeps in. Now replace the bearings on the shaft and the shaft in the mount. You'll be surprised how easily the mount moves when you're done. You'll be able to get a VERY good balance even in the cold Back to the HEQ5 project page Back to Ozzzy's Astromomy page |