Cleaning/Adjusting the RA 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 RA 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 Large pipe wrench Nylon hammer 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 RA lock lever Remove the lever Remove the brass RA 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 Remove the polar scope cover Remove the polar alignment scope Loosen the two small set-screws in the polar-scope mounting plate Remove the polar scope mounting plate. Use some allen-keys as a 'wrench' if it's tight Loosen the RA setting circle thumbscrew and remove the setting circle Clean any lube from the setting circle Loosen the three set-screws in the slots in the large aluminum 'nut' on the RA shaft Use the pipe wrench if needed to unthread the aluminum nut Stand the mount on it's top and lift off the whole lower casting. Don't get the tapered bearing dirty Undo the power/hand control attachment panel. This is attached with two philips screws Loosen (a lot) the two worm adjust ment set-screws. One is under the power panel and the other at the rear of the mount Remove the three silver cap-head bolts from the worm carrier completely Lift off the worm carrier and lay it aside 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 worm carrier on the RA shaft Replace the RA shaft back into it's casting and push it down til it 'seats' Place the tapered bearing back in it's seat Replace the large aluminum 'nut'. Tighten it slightly with the large wrench, not TOO tight, just snug Tighten the three set-screws in the slots in the 'nut' Replace the RA setting circle Replace the polar scope mounting plate and tighten the two small set screws Replace the polar scope Replace the polar scope cover Replace the motor cover Replace the RA lock 'button' Replace the RA lock lever bolt Replace the RA lock lever Lock the RA axis Tighten the three silver cap bolts on the worm carrier JUST so it holds Using your hand test the RA axis for play. If there isn't any then loosen the two RA worm adjustment screws until there is some Again using the adjustment screws tighten the worm JUST until the play disappears Tighten the three silver cap 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 declination axis Back to the HEQ5 Project pages Back to Ozzzy's Astronomy pages