At this point, you might as well add some lubrication to the gears. I used WD40 sprayed onto the gears. DO NOT USE Lithium Grease etc because it will gum up the optical sensors that measure motor rotation.
The poorly constructed Autostar arm has a frequently occuring problem: the up/down motion will not properly lock and track, no matter how hard you tighten the dial. Meade chose to use a very inexpensive strip of metal, rather than a proper C-Clip (67 cents at HomeDepot, get the 5/8" diameter one). Once the slopply strip is replaced, you will not have this problem again.
| Remove the four screws. Then remove the locking dial by
fully unscrewing it. Once removed, there will be a retaining nut that
holds the degree wheel in place. Unscrew that retaining nut, remember
approximately how much force you need to loosen it because when you put it
all back together, you'll need to tighten it similarly. Now, there will be
two small phillips screws to the left and right of that retaining nut.
Remove them. At this point you will be able to gently pry off the black
plastic case. There are no clips to hold it in place, it should nearly
fall off in your hands.
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| Here's what you should be looking at now. If you push on the axle, the entire clutch assembly will pop out in one piece. There are no little gears or springs to worry about. The clever part of Meade's assembly | |
| This is the last step. On the front of the white circle
there will be a washer, and a steel retaining clip. It looks and acts more
like a clip of spring, but, it will be out of the groove. Use a
screwdriver to push it back into the groove. At this point, you might as well add some lubrication to the gears. I used WD40 sprayed onto the gears. DO NOT USE Lithium Grease etc because it will gum up the optical sensors that measure motor rotation. |
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